Smith Statement on USPS Announcement of North Platte Mail Processing Transfer to Denver

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it will transfer operations of the North Platte, NE Mail Processing and Distribution Center to Denver, CO and convert the North Platte facility to a Local Processing Center.

"This decision-leaving the entire Third District, more land area than the state of North Dakota, without a USPS Mail Processing and Distribution Center-is another in a long line of actions demonstrating USPS' lack of concern for rural Americans. As American postal customer satisfaction and rates of on-time delivery are decreasing, there is strong evidence moving operations to Denver risks greater delays and inefficiencies. Furthermore, it appears our clearly voiced concerns were simply disregarded by USPS, as they were when processing at facilities in Grand Island and Alliance was consolidated to Omaha in 2013 and 2015. This is unacceptable for Nebraska communities, businesses, and seniors who are particularly reliant on USPS for delivery of prescription medicines.

"Failing to restore customer confidence is a losing strategy. To achieve the reforms that are desperately needed for USPS to overcome its serious fiscal problems and fulfill its constitutional mission to serve all Americans, USPS must focus more on improving service."

BACKGROUND:

In February Smith sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing concerns over proposed removal of postal operations from the North Platte facility.

Read the letter here.

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