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28^th District of Texas – Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement upon notification that eleven United States Post Offices in the 28th District of Texas will undergo a study to determine whether continuing services is merited. The United States Post Office (USPS) is currently faced with financial challenges and has started a comprehensive review of cost cutting measures.

“I am deeply concerned about the potential United States Post Office closures that may result in Webb County. This preliminary study will determine which facilities should be discontinued in view of workload, customer demand, or the proximity of alternate postal products and services in the surrounding area. I am not in support of closing any post offices, including those in Mirando and Oilton, because these locations connect small rural communities in my district to the rest of the nation and serve as an alternate means of communication for areas that lack technological capabilities,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I will work with lawmakers and the United States Postal Service to ensure that delivery of services are available to constituents in the district regardless of the outcome of this plan.”

 

Approximately 3,700 post offices, mostly in small and rural communities, are targeted for closure this year as noted in a release sent out by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS would conduct studies of how much foot traffic each office generates and would have to provide notices to communities and hold meetings with local residents before closing any office.

 

The announcement comes at a time when the USPS is struggling financially, with mail volume declining as people communicate digitally. It is projected that 16,000 post offices will close over the next ten years. Changing customer habits in the recent years have resulted in mail volume reduction of more than 43 billion pieces, reduction of 200 million in customer visits; and decline of $2 billion in retail transactions at postal-operated facilities.

For communities affected by the change, the USPS introduced the Village Post Office as a replacement option. These post offices would be operated by local businesses (grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers) and would offer popular products such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.

After the study is complete and the USPS determines which facilities are subject to closure, there will be opportunity to appeal the determination. The facility will receive a 60-day Notice of Intention, posting proposal, public comment solicitation, 30-day appeal period (final determination), up to 60-day waiting period, and final decision thereafter.