Chillicothe — The informally named “paper mill response team” again held their weekly meeting, four days before the possible start of the industry’s closure. They also unveiled a workforce assistance website and office location this morning.
Also named the “Pixelle Response Team,” the consortium of local governments and agencies that was formed in response to the threatened closing of Chillicothe’s paper mill met with the Ross County Commissioners.
They were again in executive session. That is allowed by the state’s “Sunshine Law” for real estate and labor negotiations, among other actions that could harm public plans with premature disclosure.
On April 15th, Pixelle had officially announced that the mill could start layoffs as soon as this Friday, June 13th. Even though the owner of Pixelle, H.I.G. Capital, had said on April 18th that they would delay closure to the end of the year, there has been no change to the “WARN Notice” notification.
After the task force meeting, I spoke with Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce leader Mike Throne to get an update on their effort, as well as an overview of “Scioto Valley Forward.”
Throne said he can’t address the mill closure date, but recommended everyone to stay calm and see how things develop – he said this is a great team, and they are prepared for both ways the situation could go.
Throne also said he could not give details on any companies that have shown interest in the site, except that there have been multiple visits – and that some companies have expressed a desire to revisit.
He said there are good candidates – not all paper companies – to continue use of some of the buildings among the 460-acre property. Hear him in his own words in the interview video below.
See also my story on this morning’s news release for “Scioto Valley Forward,” the online microsite and workforce hub to assist the workforce in the face of the Chillicothe paper mill closure.
