Delayed Closure of Chillicothe Paper Mill Cheers News Conference / Rally

U.S. and State Dignitaries Upbeat with Eight More Months to Find New Operator

A news conference about the end of the Chillicothe paper mill turned into a rally to use extra time to save it. Eight speakers, most of them state and U.S. officeholders, gave pledges of support on Friday. Hear them in their own words in the videos of their entire speeches.

Ross County Commissioner David Glass began the event, and introduced Mt. Zion Pastor Troy Gray who gave one of his fiery invocations.

Glass then introduced U.S. Senator for Ohio Bernie Moreno, who said he got a delay on the closing until the end of the year, instead of within only two months. Learn more in the previous story focusing on Moreno.

(Although Senator Moreno announced that the CEO of H.I.G. Capital told him that he will announce they will suspend the closure to the end of year on Friday, there is no update on the closing I could find on the on the H.I.G. or Pixelle websites on Saturday evening.)

When he returned to the lectern later, Moreno added that his Cleveland office will be reduced to allow creation of a permanent Senate office in Chillicothe, and his deputy state director has accepted the assignment and will move his family to work here.

“And I’ve authorized one charge: to make certain that this plant is successful, to monitor the progress, to make certain that this thing thrives for the next 200 years, and it’s going to be physically here in the community every single day.“

Moreno introduced U.S. Senator Jon Husted. He said the reprieve allows us to write the next chapter for the paper mill, instead of its last chapter. Husted reminisced about his childhood experience of the devastation of a factory closing in his hometown.

He said we need to hold to account the private equity firm that owns the mill, and that local governments, union, workforce, company, and political leaders “to make this victory permanent.”

Husted then introduced Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, for whom Husted served as Lieutenant Governor.

DeWine thanked Bernie Moreno for getting mad at the the private equity firm. He said as they talked to members of the crowd, he kept hearing from second- and third-generation mill workers.

The governor said the most aggravating thing was that no one had any notice before the closing was announced – he found out the same time as the public.

DeWine said he works closely with the Jobs Ohio agency, which will be an integral part of the effort to save the paper mill. He said we have some time, and he pledged to do all we can – but he doesn’t know where this goes.

DeWine introduced U.S. Representative for Ohio David Taylor. Taylor said he is new to politics, and is happy with his cohorts’ response.

He said we need to get back to work after Holy Week – to work at mill, and work on Pixelle. He said this is a “crucible moment” – we can’t relax after it: we can’t let it go, it’s too big a thing…Christmas will be here before we know it.

Taylor said if anyone has long-term or short-run needs because of the threat of the paper mill closure, to contact his office.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost took a photo of the crowd, saying that if the closure ends up in court, it will be exhibit “A.”

He thanked Moreno for getting this major concession because of the strength of his advocacy.

But Yost said the other officials here are the optimists. He hoped that as the prosecutor for the state, he has no other role in this situation – but said if it turns out that the others must be “good cops,” he will be the “bad cop.”

He said the last speaking spot is the closing argument in court, but here it will will not be a politician, as he introduced Jeff Allen.

President of United Steelworkers Local 731 Jeff Allen said he has been around the paper mill for almost 37 years and is a third-generation papermaker. He said he sees many retirees in the audience, and thanked them for teaching skills to the current employees.

Allen said we got a reprieve, but it will be a long haul. “I have a motivated and highly skilled workforce in there that is ready to make it run.”

Allen introduced Bernie Moreno back to the lectern. Moreno concluded with the thought that on this holy day, there is one Person who made all this happen – think about the opportunity He gave us.

Moreno said we will make this the most world-class paper mill in the world.

Hear all the speakers in their own words in the article on the Scioto Post, including all the videos.

Learn more in the two previous stories from the event, “U.S. Senator Champions Delayed Closure of Chillicothe Paper Mill Until End of 2025” and “Economic Development Leader Gives Insights on Delayed Closure of Chillicothe Paper Mill.”

Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.