CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) — The Chillicothe community is preparing for changes that will take place when the Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill in town shuts down.
The mill can be seen on the drive into town. It can also been seen from several neighborhoods around Chillicothe. Physically and economically, it plays a big role in the city.
“It’s a huge staple in our city, it's such an image to Chillicothe," Pixelle employee Ethan Redman said.
Original neighborhood could hold key to Columbus’ housing crunchPaper production in Chillicothe dates back to the 19th century. In recent years, Redman has featured the mill in his artwork; he’s also just started working at the mill earlier this year.
“This is one of my very first really good paying jobs and I feel like I started to get traction and it just feels like the rug’s been taken under me," he said.
PIxell announced on Tuesday it is closing the mill. The closure of the mill is a difficult but necessary decision to unsustainable financial challenges at the Chillicothe location, according to the company's website. Part of the CEO's message to the community said Pixelle is committed to ensuring a responsible closure and supporting employees and their families.
“It’s just been really tough to kind of come to terms with thinking that, man, my whole livelihood's going to change, all my friends' lives are going to change, it's just really going to take an impact on the town," Redman said.
Paper City Coffee, a coffee shop in downtown Chillicothe, is just blocks away from the mill. Madisen Harper, one of the shop's owners, said her grandfather retired from the mill and her stepfather works there now. For the rest of the week, the shop is offering 15% off to mill employees because of what's going on.
“They are people who are coming in here every single day so it's our way helping show our support and just providing a little bit of relief," Harper said. "It's definitely been a really big shock. So many people in this town have a connection to the paper mill."
The state is also stepping in to help out. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will start immediately to assist the 826 employees who are losing their jobs.
ODJFS will establish a “Rapid Response” team, which will work with Pixell to set up sessions informing the employees of options and benefits available to them including reemployment and applying for unemployment benefits.
“I am extremely disappointed in the decision made by Pixelle,” DeWine said in a statement. “The paper mill in Chillicothe has been in operation more than 100 years, providing good jobs for the community for generations.
“We are going to ensure that the workers who are impacted are aware of all the benefits, resources, and opportunities available to them in Ohio – including opportunities for new employment,” DeWine added.
Redman said the closure decision is even harder on employees who've been at the mill much longer than him.
“It’s really troubling times right now,” he said. “Everyone's just waiting to see how it turns out.”
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