USPS: Fayetteville facility to remain open, no longer serve as distribution facility

Kyler Swaim
·2 min read

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The United States Postal Service said on Tuesday it will modernize mail operations at the Northwest Arkansas Processing and Distribution Facility in Fayetteville, according to a news release.

Congressman Steve Womack’s office told KNWA/FOX24 that the Fayetteville location will stay open as a local processing center but no longer as a distribution center.

The distribution capabilities will be moved to Oklahoma City and the decision is the same as in the initial proposal.

USPS considers moving processing, delivery services from Fayetteville to Oklahoma City

USPS said the changes are part of a $40 billion investment strategy to improve and upgrade processing, transportation and delivery networks. As part of the proposal, USPS set a goal for 95% on-time delivery of all mail products.

USPS said there will be no career layoffs as part of the initiative.

Womack said in a statement, “I’m disappointed in the decision, but I’m hopeful USPS will stay true to their promise of no career layoffs and 95% on-time delivery for all mail products throughout Northwest Arkansas. I’ll continue to closely monitor this transition and ensure the postal service is held accountable to their commitment.”

USPS says it conducted a business review and sought feedback from the public on the future of the facility.

“In addition to determining [whether] the facility will remain open and modernized as a local processing center, the business case supports transferring mail processing outgoing operations to the Oklahoma City P&DC in Oklahoma City, OK. Currently, a majority of mail and packages are destined outside the NW Arkansas area to the rest of the world,” USPS said.

The investment in the facility is part of USPS’ 10-year Delivering for America plan to help improve operational and organizational processes.

USPS describes a local processing center as a processing facility that sorts letters and flats to individual mail carrier routes in the regional area.

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