Closure of Collins Road processing facility to hurt Lansing economy

(November 13, 2014) – LANSING – State Representatives Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Tom Cochran (D-Mason) today called for immediate action to stop the closing of the Lansing United States Postal Service mail processing and distribution center.

“This change being pushed by the Postmaster General needs to consider the effects on the local Lansing economy,” Schor said. “To close the Lansing facility next year would move 160 jobs and would delay mail delivery for residents and businesses, which would have an adverse impact on the local economy.”

“Closing the Collins Road post office would mean longer delivery times and fewer jobs for Lansing area families and would result in significant consequences for people and business in the region,” Rep. Tom Cochran (D-Mason), a member of the House Capitol Caucus, said. “The effects that would follow from this decision should be more carefully assessed before further action is taken.”

Postal workers in Lansing will be at the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. to send a message to the Postmaster General and USPS to stop the closings. Opponents of the closings say that all mail, including medicine and bill payments, will be delayed, and e-commerce, which relies on speedy deliveries, would be impacted for a loss.

“It is disappointing that the Postmaster General is making this move without Congressional action, and the moratorium needs to be in place until our elected members of Congress weigh in,” Schor said. “I am calling on the Postmaster General and the USPS to postpone this decision while awaiting congressional action and while exploring the negative impacts on the local Lansing economy.”

Schor has introduced HR 0022 of 2013, which is co-sponsored by the bi-partisan Capitol Caucus. This resolution asks the U.S. Congress to halt the closure of the Collins Road facility until postal reform legislation can be addressed at the federal level