The following statement can be attributed to Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross

Chamber of Commerce:

The Chamber understands the deep concern many feel regarding the August 10 closure of our community’s paper mill. We feel it, too, and recognize the impact this news has on our dedicated workforce and their families. We want to assure you that the Chamber and our partners have been

working tirelessly to secure a positive path forward for our community and those affected by the

situation.

For our impacted workers, we are committed to supporting you during this time through

SciotoValleyForward.com and the accompanying Workforce Hub, located in the annex of the main

library branch. Additionally, Jobs Ohio has identified 4,500 job openings within a 45-minute radius, and

automation training and robotics will soon be available to help enhance our workforce for new

opportunities.

While change can be challenging, we remain optimistic about the future of this vital site. Transferring

the 460-acre property into local hands is essential, ensuring our community will guide its

redevelopment for long-term prosperity. This is a significant step that will enable us to bring new life and

opportunities to Chillicothe.

The Chamber will work alongside community leaders to establish a robust vetting process, ensuring

that any new businesses brought to the site are long-term, sustainable partners committed to the well-

being of our community. We grieve the loss of our legacy papermaking business but remain optimistic

about the possibilities this next chapter holds for Chillicothe. We look forward to building a thriving

future together.