Chillicothe – With the crushing announcement of the imminent closure of the landmark paper mill, local government, businesses, and economic concerns are expected to move into overdrive to cushion the impact or look for a better transition.
I caught Mike Throne, CEO and president of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, between meetings.
He said it is important to allow the approximately 830 employees there time to grieve…then the community needs to get started on what comes next. After making sure the former mill employees have resources, Throne said they will need to work on how to fill “a big gaping hole in our community.”
He said the chamber, county, city, and economic development will consider what role each will have in marketing the mill site.
He said, yes, that the announcement from Pixelle made it unquestionable that this was a complete closure of the mill and that the word was that it would be within 45 to 60 days.
Throne said that the mill has been the backbone of the local economy for generations – but he agreed that the local economy around “Mead” is more diverse than it was 40 or 60 years ago, with Kenworth, Adena Health System, two prisons, the VA Medical Center, and more, diversifying employment.
I asked about the incredulity of shutting down the entire mill – and that if there were a chance to restart it, would there be the hassle of permits? He said there are some requirements for permits if some operations sit dormant too long, but he wasn’t familiar with the details.
“As I look at it, it’s probably unlikely that another paper mill will go in there.” But Throne said if another mill is looking for a viable market…he knows of a place.
Hear Throne in his own words in the interview video below. Mayor Luke Feeney, on a birthday that his staff figured he won’t forget, also put out a statement.
