October 28, 2026 | CHILLICOTHE, Ohio —
President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a midterm election rally Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Shoemaker Center on Ohio University’s Chillicothe campus, 101 University Drive, as Ross County continues to recover from the closure of a major paper mill and weighs new manufacturing and data-center projects. The president’s remarks are scheduled for 7 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.
The visit is Trump’s third campaign appearance in Ohio this month, coming less than a week before the November 3 election. Chillicothe, approximately 45 miles south of Columbus, is in a county that supported Trump with about 69% of the vote in 2024.
The rally comes amid continuing questions about jobs at the former Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill, federal support for domestic manufacturing and plans to expand the facility into other industries.
Why is Trump visiting Chillicothe?
Trump’s visit is part of a series of Republican campaign appearances ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
He previously campaigned in Vandalia on October 3 and Youngstown on October 12.
Vice President JD Vance has also visited Ohio during October, including appearances in Lima and the Cincinnati area.
The visits come as Republicans seek to retain Ohio’s governorship and U.S. Senate seat.
Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted faces Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown, while Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Amy Acton for governor.
Trump has not publicly explained every factor behind his decision to hold Wednesday’s rally in Chillicothe.
However, Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno described Chillicothe as the political “center of gravity” for his party in an interview cited by NBC4.
The area’s voting history provides context for that description.
How did Ross County vote in the last three presidential elections?
Trump won Ross County in all three of his presidential campaigns.
According to election results reported by the Chillicothe Gazette, he received the following vote totals:
| Election | Trump votes | Democratic opponent votes |
| 2016 | 18,652 | Hillary Clinton: 10,356 |
| 2020 | 22,278 | Joe Biden: 10,557 |
| 2024 | 22,801 | Kamala Harris: 9,846 |
Trump’s 2024 share was approximately 69% of the county’s presidential vote.
Although Ross County has voted Republican in recent presidential elections, Chillicothe itself is led by Democratic Mayor Luke Feeney, who is serving his third term.
Countywide presidential results do not establish the political preferences of every Chillicothe resident.
What happened to the Pixelle paper mill in Chillicothe?
One of Chillicothe’s largest economic disruptions occurred in August 2025, when Pixelle Specialty Solutions closed its longstanding paper manufacturing operation.
The shutdown affected approximately 800 workers and ended production at a facility with a long history in the community.
Pixelle originally announced the planned closure on April 15, 2025, saying it intended to concentrate operations at other facilities and adjust its manufacturing footprint.
After the shutdown, the company reached an agreement to sell the Chillicothe property to U.S. Paper Mill, an affiliate of U.S. Medical Glove Company.
Pixelle announced the sale in October 2025.
Ohio officials, including Sen. Moreno, were involved in efforts to find a buyer and preserve industrial operations at the site.
The acquisition did not immediately restore all the positions eliminated when Pixelle closed.
Is the Chillicothe paper mill reopening?
The property’s new owner announced September 23, 2026, that it was preparing to resume paper production.
U.S. Paper Mill said it had assigned 13 employees to restart Paper Machine 12, known as “The Chief.”
The company expects the equipment to be operational and ready to manufacture paper by December 2026.
It has begun recruiting workers and said it would prioritize some former Pixelle employees.
According to the company’s September announcement, more than 180 people were already working at the broader mill property.
U.S. Paper Mill estimates that up to 350 additional paper-production positions could be created within the following year.
Those 350 jobs are projections and should not be counted as positions already filled.
The company has not confirmed that all former Pixelle workers will be rehired.
What is the proposed data-center project at the former mill?
The former paper mill is also being considered for a technology development involving computing infrastructure and electronics manufacturing.
Alignment Engine, an Ohio company headquartered in North Canton, has proposed leasing approximately 6.5 acres of the 490-acre property.
The proposal includes a data hall and a circuit-board manufacturing operation.
According to a September report from the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce, company representatives outlined a plan involving approximately 240 permanent jobs as operations expand.
The Chamber reported that Alignment Engine had advertised 73 positions associated with the project, with compensation ranging from approximately $42,000 to six figures.
The proposed jobs and other long-term expansion figures are company projections rather than independently verified employment totals.
What concerns have residents raised about the data-center proposal?
During a September 8 Chillicothe City Council public meeting, residents raised questions about the development’s potential effects on electricity, water, noise and employment.
According to the Chamber’s meeting recap, company representatives said the development could use existing generating and water infrastructure at the mill.
The representatives outlined estimates that included:
- Up to 89 megawatts of generating capacity from the mill’s existing turbine.
- Approximately 28 million gallons of water per day at full capacity, using the mill’s water infrastructure.
- About 240 projected permanent positions as the technology project expands.
Those figures were presented by the developer and had not been independently established as actual operating consumption or completed hiring.
Residents asked whether environmental and infrastructure commitments would be legally enforceable, whether jobs would go to local workers and how the project’s water use would be managed during a drought.
The September 8 session was a public review meeting rather than final approval of every development component.
What has Chillicothe City Councilman Richard McQuirt said about federal support?
Chillicothe City Councilman Richard McQuirt, a Republican, has questioned whether the federal government has delivered sufficient support for manufacturing at the former mill.
In reporting published by NBC4, McQuirt expressed frustration over federal purchasing commitments related to American-made medical gloves.
He argued that federal contracts could help sustain employment at the property.
McQuirt has also sought a presidential visit to the former mill to discuss jobs and the site’s future.
Sen. Moreno has pursued legislation intended to encourage federal purchasing of domestically manufactured medical gloves.
The publicly reviewed reporting does not establish the complete terms of any federal purchasing commitment or whether a particular contract was legally guaranteed.
It also does not establish that Trump has agreed to visit the mill during Wednesday’s trip.
What does Ross County’s unemployment rate show?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 4.3% unemployment rate for Ross County in August 2026, according to data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Ohio’s statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3% that month, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Because the county figure is not seasonally adjusted and the statewide figure is seasonally adjusted, they are not directly comparable on identical terms.
The figures provide context for the county’s labor market but do not independently show how many former Pixelle employees remain unemployed.
The new owner’s hiring plans could create additional opportunities, although the number of positions ultimately filled remains to be determined.
Will there be protests during Trump’s Chillicothe visit?
Opponents of the administration have scheduled events in Chillicothe on Wednesday.
The Ohio Democratic Party announced a 1 p.m. news conference outside the Chillicothe Police Department at 28 N. Paint St.
Mayor Luke Feeney and former Pixelle workers were listed among the expected participants.
Organizers said they planned to address the paper mill closure, manufacturing commitments and costs facing Ohio families.
Separate demonstrations were also advertised by activists opposing Trump’s visit.
The events are distinct from the presidential rally, and any attendance or statements made during them will require confirmation after they occur.
What time is Trump’s rally at Ohio University Chillicothe?
The Republican event registration page lists the following schedule:
| Event | Scheduled time |
| Doors open | 3:30 p.m. |
| Program begins | 5:30 p.m. |
| Trump speaks | 7 p.m. |
| Date | Wednesday, October 28 |
| Venue | Shoemaker Center |
| Address | 101 University Drive, Chillicothe |
The organizer allows up to four tickets per registration.
Admission remains subject to venue capacity and security requirements.
The precise time of the president’s arrival in Chillicothe has not been confirmed in the public event announcement.
Which roads will be closed for Trump’s Chillicothe rally?
The City of Chillicothe announced several temporary restrictions to accommodate the visit.
According to the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce, the following areas are scheduled to close from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday:
- City Park Annex
- Kopp Street
- Paint Creek floodwall recreational path between Kopp Street and the Riverside Street access ramp
Parking restrictions also apply to Kopp Street and portions of High Street, including the area between Main Street and Kopp Street.
Additional road closures may be imposed by law enforcement as needed.
As of Wednesday morning, no full closures had been announced for U.S. 23, U.S. 35 or U.S. 50, although drivers may encounter temporary traffic interruptions.
U.S. 23 is a principal route connecting Columbus and Chillicothe.
Are Chillicothe schools closing early?
Chillicothe City Schools announced early dismissal on Wednesday because of anticipated traffic congestion, road closures and security measures.
The district’s dismissal schedule is:
| School | Dismissal |
| Intermediate School | 12:15 p.m. |
| Primary School | 12:25 p.m. |
| Middle School | 12:30 p.m. |
| High School | 12:30 p.m. |
All after-school practices are canceled.
The district said the schedule change was made because of anticipated disruptions associated with the presidential visit.
Families should follow the district’s official announcements for any additional transportation changes.
When does early voting end in Ohio?
Trump’s Chillicothe rally takes place six days before the November 3 general election.
According to the Ohio Secretary of State, the remaining early in-person voting schedule is:
| Date | Voting hours |
| Oct. 28–30 | 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1–5 p.m. |
Sunday, November 1, is the final day of early in-person voting.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, polling places are scheduled to open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
Voters should verify their assigned polling locations through their county board of elections.
What happens next?
Trump is scheduled to address supporters Wednesday evening at the Shoemaker Center.
His visit comes as Ross County continues to evaluate efforts to restore manufacturing employment at the former Pixelle mill and proposals to introduce new industries at the property.
U.S. Paper Mill expects its restored paper machine to be ready for production by December, while additional hiring and the proposed technology development remain subject to future company decisions and applicable approvals.
The economic results of those plans have not yet been established.
Ohio voters will decide statewide and congressional races on November 3.
Sources
- Republican National Committee / Trump 47 Committee — Midterm Rally in Chillicothe, Ohio, official event registration, October 28, 2026.
- NBC4 / WCMH — Trump Visits Ohio: Chillicothe Highlights Economic Struggles in Historically Red City, October 28, 2026.
- Chillicothe Gazette — Trump Rally Coming to Chillicothe as Ross County Support Remains Strong, October 22, 2026.
- Pixelle Specialty Solutions — Pixelle Specialty Solutions Announces Closure of Chillicothe Mill, April 15, 2025.
- Pixelle Specialty Solutions — Pixelle Completes Sale of Chillicothe Paper Mill, October 11, 2025.
- Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce / U.S. Paper Mill — Paper Manufacturing Returns to Chillicothe, September 23, 2026.
- Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce — What We Heard: Recapping the Alignment Engine Public Meeting, September 14, 2026.
- Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce — Preparing Your Business for Wednesday’s Presidential Visit, October 26–27, 2026.
- Chillicothe City School District — Early dismissal announcement, October 27–28, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics / Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — Ross County unemployment data.
- Ohio Secretary of State — Official 2026 election calendar and early voting hours.
Last updated: October 28, 2026.
This report reflects the official schedule and information available before the president’s scheduled remarks. Event details, traffic restrictions and project plans may change. Columbus Frontline will update the report as additional verified information becomes available.