DeWine's Weak Response Leaves Chillicothe Workers Adrift After Mill Closure

In Chillicothe, Ohio, the hum of the Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill has been a constant for over a century, a heartbeat for a town built on steady jobs and tight-knit families. Now, with the company’s abrupt decision to shutter the mill, 826 workers face an uncertain future. Their livelihoods, woven into the fabric of Ross County, are at risk, and the ripple effects threaten to unravel the community’s economic stability. This isn’t just a business decision; it’s a human crisis demanding urgent, worker-focused action.

The announcement landed like a sudden storm, leaving employees reeling. Families who counted on the mill for generations now confront the prospect of unemployment, diminished savings, and the daunting task of starting over. The closure underscores a broader pattern of manufacturing decline, where corporate priorities often eclipse the needs of workers and their communities. For those who believe in economic justice, this moment demands more than temporary fixes—it calls for transformative policies that prioritize people over profits.

Ohio’s response, led by Governor Mike DeWine, centers on deploying the Department of Job and Family Services’ Rapid Response team to guide workers toward reemployment services and unemployment benefits. While this immediate action is necessary, it risks falling short of addressing the deeper structural issues at play. Reemployment programs, though well-intentioned, often funnel workers into lower-paying jobs that fail to sustain families. The stakes are high, and half-measures won’t suffice.

What’s needed is a bold, equitable approach that empowers workers with real opportunities, not just stopgap solutions. The Chillicothe closure is a chance to reimagine how we support displaced workers, ensuring they aren’t left to navigate economic upheaval alone. Advocates for working families argue that Ohio must invest in comprehensive retraining, wage insurance, and community revitalization to secure a future where no worker is left behind.

The state’s Rapid Response team is moving quickly to connect Pixelle employees with job search tools, career counseling, and unemployment benefits. These services, offered through OhioMeansJobs centers, aim to soften the blow of layoffs. Yet, research paints a sobering picture: while intensive reemployment services can boost employment rates by 7 to 20 percent, they often prioritize speed over quality. Workers are frequently placed in jobs that pay less than their previous roles, barely covering basic needs in a region where living costs continue to climb.

This approach reflects a broader flaw in workforce development. Programs like those under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act focus on rapid reemployment, but they rarely provide the robust training needed for in-demand, well-paying careers. Structured programs that blend work and learning, such as those piloted in states like Michigan, show stronger results, with participants securing stable jobs in growing sectors. But these initiatives are costly and not widely available, leaving rural communities like Chillicothe at a disadvantage.

Some argue that the state’s plan to market the 400-acre mill site to new buyers signals proactive economic development. JobsOhio and Ohio Southeast Economic Development are tasked with attracting investment to Ross County, but this strategy hinges on uncertain timelines and corporate interest. Historical data suggests that mono-industrial towns face steep challenges in diversifying their economies. The closure of Sumitomo Rubber’s plant in New York, which cost 1,550 jobs, showed that even well-coordinated redevelopment efforts can take years to yield results, leaving workers in limbo.

Critics of this approach, including advocates for economic equity, point out that marketing a site does little for workers facing immediate financial strain. Wage insurance programs, like the Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance, have proven effective, boosting earnings by up to 26 percent for displaced workers, particularly those over 50. Ohio could adopt similar measures, offering temporary income support to bridge the gap while workers retrain for high-demand fields like renewable energy or advanced manufacturing. Such policies would signal a commitment to workers’ dignity, not just corporate recovery.

The Chillicothe closure is part of a larger wave of manufacturing plant shutdowns sweeping the nation. The paper industry, battered by declining demand for traditional products and rising global competition, is consolidating at a relentless pace. International Paper’s recent closure of six facilities after its DS Smith acquisition displaced nearly 1,000 workers, mirroring Pixelle’s move. These decisions, driven by corporate efficiency and market shifts toward packaging, leave communities like Chillicothe to bear the human cost.

Manufacturing closures devastate local economies, especially in towns reliant on a single employer. The shutdown of Bridgestone’s Tennessee plant cost 700 jobs and triggered an estimated $45 million in annual economic losses. In Chillicothe, the loss of 826 jobs could erode tax revenues, strain schools, and shutter local businesses. Families may face forced migration or increased poverty, outcomes seen in countless mono-industrial towns where closures have left lasting scars.

Some defend these closures as inevitable, arguing that market forces and technological shifts necessitate tough choices. They claim that reemployment services and site redevelopment are sufficient to cushion the impact. But this perspective ignores the human toll and the systemic inequities that leave rural workers vulnerable. A just transition requires more than market-driven solutions; it demands public investment in retraining, infrastructure, and economic diversification to ensure communities don’t become ghost towns.

Ohio has an opportunity to lead by example, crafting a response to the Chillicothe closure that centers workers and their families. Advocates for working people call for a multi-pronged approach: expand access to high-quality retraining programs tailored to growing industries, implement wage insurance to stabilize incomes during transitions, and invest in community-led revitalization to attract diverse employers. The BRIDGE for Workers Act, a federal proposal, could serve as a model, emphasizing early intervention and personalized support.

The state must also address the unique challenges of rural communities. Unlike urban areas with varied job markets, Ross County lacks immediate employment options. Partnerships with local colleges and unions could create pathways to careers in emerging sectors, while targeted investments in broadband and infrastructure could make the region more attractive to new industries. These steps would not only aid Pixelle workers but also build resilience against future economic shocks.

The alternative—relying on quick fixes and corporate goodwill—risks repeating past failures. The closure of a Tyson plant in a small town left families scrambling, with many forced to leave their communities. Ohio can avoid this fate by acting decisively, ensuring that workers aren’t sacrificed to the whims of global markets. The fight for economic justice demands nothing less than a commitment to real, lasting change.