October 13, 2025
OEDA News Item: From Paper to PPE: Chillicothe Mill Gets New Life
A shuttered paper mill in Ross County is being reborn as a domestic manufacturing hub for medical gloves—bringing jobs, hope, and a model for industrial reuse. Congratulations to Tammy Eallonardo and Tiffany Lemaster at the Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development, OhioSE, JobsOhio, as well as the many local, state, and federal officials and partners, including. Sen. Bernie Moreno.
What happened
- U.S. Medical Glove Company has purchased the former Pixelle paper mill in Chillicothe.
- The facility will be converted to produce nitrile gloves and packaging for the healthcare sector.
- The project revives a 100-year-old site that closed earlier this year, affecting hundreds of workers.
- The $5.5M sale proceeds are being used to support displaced employees and local unions.
- Some workers have already been rehired, and equipment transition is underway.
Why it matters
This project is a powerful example of what smart, strategic economic development looks like in 2025. Instead of letting a shuttered mill become a symbol of decline, Chillicothe is turning it into a catalyst for growth. Repurposing the facility not only preserves infrastructure and legacy workforce ties—it puts Ohio at the center of the push to reshore critical medical supply chains. It’s also a reminder that converting old assets into new opportunities requires more than a good business plan: it takes public-private coordination, workforce planning, and a willingness to bet on reinvention.
OEDA President & CEO David Zaks