U.S. Paper Mill prepares to restart Chillicothe paper machine

U.S. Paper Mill Company has begun hiring for a return to paper production at the former Pixelle Specialty Solutions mill in Chillicothe, Ohio. Thirteen employees are working to bring the site’s No. 12 paper machine, known as “The Chief”, back into service. The company expects it to be ready to manufacture paper by December 2026.

The mill closed under Pixelle in August 2025. U.S. Paper Mill acquired the facility that October and has since repurposed it for several activities. According to the company, more than 180 people currently work on the site. Former mill employees are receiving priority in recruitment for paper production.

The company said it was discussing further paper manufacturing opportunities with several businesses and estimated that paper operations could add as many as 350 jobs over the following year. That figure is a projection, rather than an announced number of positions already filled.

“We are incredibly proud to return The Chief to action,” said plant manager Craig Teeters. “It has been gratifying to see the joy on our colleagues’ faces, and it will be a pleasure to welcome more workers into the plant as we prepare to resume paper production in Chillicothe.”