Local business leaders discuss United States Postal Service closures

A major development group in Mid-Missourifightsback against the plans toshutdown Columbia’s mail distribution center.

Local business leaders discussed theimpactof the potential closing.

Lastweek, the United States Postal Service announced in a meetingthatlocal mail could possibly be processed in St. Louis or Kansas City –amove thatPostal Serviceofficials say would help savemore than $4 million.

Closing the processing center in Columbia would have twomajor local impacts.

Forty-two jobs will be transferred to either Kansas City orSt.Louis.

Second, mail will take at least two to three days to be delivered.

RegionalEconomic Development chairVickiRussell says Columbia’s distribution center was ranked the most efficient in 2012while St.Louis was ranked at the bottom.

Leadersof the group say there are bigger concerns – downsizing can lead to closure.

To voice your opinion, send a letter by April17to the following address:

Manager of Consumer and Industry Contact
Gateway District
1720 Market St.Room1015
St. Louis MO 63255-9511