Chillicothe, Ross County, & the Regional Economy — The owner of the paper mill continues to consider two or three possible buyers for the property, but a decision will probably not be made at the end of this week as expected. Employment opportunities continue to be offered as Pixelle employees are laid off, and funds for a possible cleanup of the mill site are being explored.
The ‘paper mill response team,’ which has been meeting weekly since the April 15th announcement that Chillicothe’s historic paper mill was being shut down, began their meeting Monday in open session with a review of what they know so far.
Team member Tammy Eallonardo, director of Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development, pointed out that this is week three of Pixelle’s three-week vetting process on offers to buy the approximately 462-acre property. But she said that in her Monday morning call with response team partners Jobs Ohio and OhioSE that it may take longer.
Two other team members – Ross County Commissioner David Glass, and U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno representative Alex Sharfetter – said they had heard that Pixelle owner H.I.G. Capital has indicated that the “due diligence” with two or three potential buyers is taking a little longer than expected…more like six weeks.
Devon Shoemaker, Ross County Planner, said he had met with the Ross County Land Bank to start discussing brownfield funds. He said probably $1M has already been allocated to the county, but additional competitive grants may also be available.
(The “land bank” handles neglected properties, usually demolishing and cleaning them up for resale. Neglected or disused commercial and industrial properties are referred to as “brownfield” sites that usually need to be treated for pollution.)
Team consultant Ryan Scribner of the Montrose Group added that he just went through a program with several school districts to demolish school properties, and that there are pre-authorized environmental consultants available to help with brownfield situations.
Jody Walker, Executive Director of South Central Ohio Job & Family Services, spoke about workforce support. They offer a resource hub for jobs in the Main Library Annex several days each week.
He said that with recent Pixelle layoffs, last week they processed 185 people there, and 197 the week before. They had also hosted open hiring events with local and regional employers: Austin Powder, Accurate Heating & Cooling, and Goodwill Industries.
For the next three weeks he said they will host General Mills and Tosoh America (based in Grove City, “engaged in advanced technology fields ranging from the manufacture and sale of semiconductor and solar materials, to the sale of medical diagnostic instruments” and more). Also upcoming will behiring events for the Chillicothe Correctional Institution and the Ross County Board of DD. Job & Family Services will also have their job fair on September 25th.
Walker said the job seekers are getting processed faster, since they are being dealt with in-person instead of over a phone call. He also mentioned that Pixelle employees have been attending free classes and training programs.
Walker said the next round of Pixelle layoffs will probably be at the end of this week, involving 170 to 180 employees – so the job hub should be busy on Tuesday (delayed by Monday’s Memorial Day holiday).
He said that will probably leave less than 50 employees at Pixelle.
Commissioner David Glass added that the Ohio Highway Patrol will have a civilian career fair next month in Jackson that will target Pixelle employees.
After about 12 minutes the team went into executive session.
Economic director Eallonardo had released a brief statement after last week’s meeting, which you can read in “Chillicothe Paper Mill Now Officially Closed…But Offers to Buy Being Considered.”
Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney also addressed the impact of the mill closing on next year’s city finances and services in his long briefing to Chillicothe Council Monday evening…stay tuned for that story.
Search the Scioto Post for many other stories about the Pixelle paper mill.
