This morning, I took my regular walk to Grandview Cemetery and stood peering out at our paper mill. The last sheets of paper zipped off the machines last week, ending two centuries of production.  The distinct odor of the papermaking process wasn't heavy in the air.

One thing stood out to me: silence. In my nearly 30 years of living here, I'd heard the whooshing hiss of steam, the dull thuds of a process I've never actually done, but came to appreciate. The stack stood tall against the humid Ohio sky, a dormant witness to generations of papermaking history.

But on this day, just a few days after the end of an era, there was silence. I've never heard silence that loud before.

A Legacy Written in Pulp and Perseverance

For over 200 years, the papermaking industry has been a defining presence in Ross County. What began in the early 19th century as a small industry utilizing our natural resources grew into an economic powerhouse that shaped both our local economy and the nation's paper industry.

When the first mill opened in Chillicothe in the early 1800s, Ohio had just become the 17th state. Through wars, economic downturns, fires, floods, and technological revolutions, the steady hum of paper machines remained the heartbeat of our community.

At its peak, our papermaking industry employed thousands, supported countless families, and bolstered our local tax base. Generations built their lives around mill schedules and planned shutdowns, took pride in their work, and passed specialized skills from parent to child. Being a "mill worker" wasn't just a job—it was an identity that carried honor and a sense of belonging.

The Final Chapter

Last week marked a transition many hoped would never come. Economic forces, changing consumer habits, and global market pressures led to the decline of paper production, where it had thrived for two centuries. For workers who walked out of the mill gates one final time, this represents more than job loss—it's the conclusion of a way of life.

We cannot minimize the impact of this closure on the affected families and our broader community. The Chamber acknowledges the real pain, uncertainty, and sense of loss. These emotions deserve our respect.

Writing a New Future

Even as we honor what has ended, we must focus on what comes next. Chillicothe and Ross County have always been more than just papermakers. We are innovators, survivors, and reinventors.

Our strengths remain intact: a strategic location, strong infrastructure, a skilled workforce, natural beauty, a rich history as Ohio's first capital, and, most importantly, our people's unwavering spirit.

Economic diversification is already taking root. While acknowledging its challenges, Kenworth continues as our manufacturing anchor. Downtown revitalization has attracted entrepreneurs, breathing new life into historic spaces. The anticipated World Heritage designation is expected to drive significant growth in tourism. Educational partnerships are creating new pathways for workers and career transitions.

The Chamber is actively securing resources for affected workers and exploring innovative approaches to repurpose industrial sites. We're committed to working with our community partners to achieve results for all affected workers and the community.

A Community United

The Chamber will continue connecting those with needs to those with resources. We'll host workshops for displaced workers, support entrepreneurial ventures through our partnerships with the Small Business Development Center, and advocate for policies that promote economic recovery.

What defines us isn't the industries of our past, but how we respond to challenges and create future opportunities. Chillicothe's story has never been limited to a single industry—it's an ongoing narrative of adaptation, community spirit, and progress.

As we honor our papermaking legacy, we embrace the blank page before us, ready to write Ross County's next chapter together.

The machines may have fallen silent, but our community's voice remains strong. The paper industry helped build Chillicothe, and now we will build upon that foundation something new, vibrant, and enduring for generations to come.

(Mike Throne is the president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce and spent more than 20 years reporting on the paper industry in Ross County.)