MeadWestvaco's move continues trend.

Byline: John Nolan

Feb. 16--DAYTON -- MeadWestvaco Corp.'s decision to move 500 jobs out of the Dayton area confirmed the worst fears of government and economic development leaders and will increase the region's pain, they said.

The packaging company's announcement Wednesday was part of its plan to cut costs and increase efficiency by relocating its corporate headquarters from Stamford, Conn., to the Richmond, Va., area.

"I wouldn't say it is a complete surprise. We're in a climate today in which companies restructure," said Greg Rogers, assistant administrator of Miami Twp., which is losing MeadWestvaco's 150-person work force there. "Are we …