US Department of Labor awards $2M to help workers affected by closure of Ohio paper mill

News Release

US Department of Labor awards $2M to help workers affected by closure of Ohio paper mill

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2 million to Ohio to support employment and training services for workers affected by the closure of the Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC Chillicothe Paper Mill.

Pixelle initially announced it would permanently cease manufacturing operations at its Chillicothe Paper Mill, located in Chillicothe, Ohio, on June 13, 2025. After the initial announcement, state and local government officials partnered with Pixelle to try to find a buyer for the facility. When those attempts were unsuccessful, Pixelle announced a new closure date of Aug. 10, at which time it would lay off the remaining 780 workers.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this National Dislocated Worker Grantallows the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide retraining and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Fairfield, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.