CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Could paper manufacturing be making a comeback in Chillicothe?
A legacy Chillicothe manufacturing facility is preparing to once again produce paper, with U.S. Paper Mill beginning the process of recruiting and hiring employees for paper production at the former Pixelle Specialty Solutions facility.
The company says it is prioritizing former mill employees as it works to bring paper manufacturing back to the facility.
Thirteen current employees have been assigned to the effort to restart the plant’s Paper Machine 12, known as “The Chief.” According to U.S. Paper Mill, the machine is expected to be fully operational and producing paper by December 2026.
The development comes just over a year after Pixelle Specialty Solutions closed the Chillicothe mill in August 2025.
U.S. Paper Mill acquired the facility in October 2025 and has since repurposed the property as a multi-use industrial site serving several sectors.
More than 180 employees are currently working at the facility, according to the company.
Now, paper manufacturing is being added back to the operation.
Potential for Hundreds of New Jobs
U.S. Paper Mill said it is currently in discussions with multiple companies interested in exploring paper manufacturing opportunities at the Chillicothe facility.
The company estimates that as many as 350 additional employees could be added to paper operations over the next year if those opportunities move forward.
Plant Manager Craig Teeters said employees have been excited to see preparations underway to bring the paper machine back online.
“We are incredibly proud to return The Chief to action,” Teeters said. “It has been gratifying to see the joy on our colleagues’ faces, and it will be a pleasure to welcome more workers into the plant as we prepare to resume paper production in Chillicothe.”
For a community with a long history tied to paper manufacturing, the planned restart of The Chief marks a significant development for the former mill site.
Paper production is expected to resume by December, while the company continues recruiting employees and exploring additional manufacturing opportunities for the Chillicothe facility.
