Chillicothe & Ross County — The stress and then relief over the paper mill was the background to a positive outlook on economic development in an annual economic review.
In their “Celebration Breakfast,” Greater Chillicothe & Ross County, Ohio Development (GCRCD) hosted state, regional, and local experts on development at the Chillicothe Country Club on December 3rd, 2025.
One of the speakers was Matt Abbott, president and CEO of “OhioSE,” a regional economic development nonprofit for Southeast Ohio “to increase economic development activities and viability.”
He summarized the year’s efforts, and gave a regional perspective to compliment the presentation from the statewide nonprofit, JobsOhio. Abbott said he highlighted Ross County happenings – the challenges and rising opportunities.
OhioSE was a partner in the ‘paper mill task force’ that spent six months wrangling with the closure of Pixelle Specialty Solutions. Abbott said OhioSE provided support and worked with the owner of the mill.
Abbott also pointed out that OhioSE will help small businesses even when they can create only two jobs, such as “Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics” in Chillicothe. He said they support the many small companies here – and you never know when a company with 10 employees may turn into 100 in five years.
Abbott pointed out that there was no regional economic development entity for Southeast Ohio, so they were started in 2011 to fill that niche. He said they had more than 100 projects in two years for the $25-50K small business grant programs from JobsOhio.
Hear Abbott in his own words in the below interview video. OhioSE has a website, and you can find Abbott’s Facebook post on the event.
Another lead presenter was Kristina Clause, Senior Managing Director of JobsOhio. Coordinators of the ongoing Ross County Strategic Plan also spoke.
Tammy Eallonardo, director of Greater Chillicothe & Ross County, Ohio Development, emceed – as well as hosted Matt Day, who gave a his photo of a mill worker printed on some of the last paper produced by the paper mill to Susan Gearhart of the GCRCD. Learn more about that in the related story.
