U.S. and State Dignitaries Part of Rally to Work Hard over Extra Time to Find New Operator
Chillicothe — On a day that we expected a commitment to struggle with the aftermath of the imminent closing of the paper mill, we heard that there is more time to save it.
In a news conference announced yesterday – which turned into more of a rally – today U.S. Senator for Ohio Bernie Moreno said that he spoke with and chastised the CEO of the private equity firm that owns the mill and operator Pixelle this morning…and that he will announce today that they will suspend the closure to the end of year.
Moreno said he had a much less optimistic speech prepared, until he was at Crispe Creme Donuts when he heard back from Sami Mnaymneh, founder, executive chairman, and CEO of H.I.G. Capital.
H.I.G. had bought Pixelle three years ago this month. The paper mill, best known as “The Mead,” currently employs 830 and remains one of the largest employers in Ross County.
Moreno said everyone needs to work “diligently with urgency” over the next eight months to find a company willing to come into Chillicothe to invest in people first, then capital. He said saving it is not a guarantee, but Moreno said he was confident that the mill will survive and will be rebuilt for generations to come.
Other officials who spoke were Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, U.S. Senator Jon Husted, U.S. Representative David Taylor, Attorney General Dave Yost, and Ross County Commissioner David Glass. Jeff Allen, president of United Steelworkers Local 731 at the mill, also spoke.
Hear Moreno in his own words below. Learn more in “Economic Development Leader Gives Insights on Delayed Closure of Chillicothe Paper Mill,” and see part three with complete videos of the other seven speakers and a distillation of what all said at the event.
