The U.S. Postal Service plans to conduct a study at the Meridian Customer Service Processing Center for possible consolidation of some operations into the Jackson Processing and Distribution Center.

    The need for the study is due to is due to the economic downturn “continued Internet diversion” according to a press release issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

    The postal service has seen a 20 percent decline in mail volume since 2007, resulting in historically large deficits, a trend postal service officials expect will continue even if the economy fully recovers.

    “As a result of the volume loss, we have more facilities, equipment and people than we need to process a declining volume of mail,” Said Mississippi District Manager Elizabeth Johnson. “We have to reduce the size of our network because we are no longer receiving enough revenue to sustain its cost.

    If the feasibility study supports the business case for changing mail processing operations, the Postal Service will hold a public meeting to allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback, which will be considered in the final proposal.

    Johnson said no changes will be made that will cause delays in delivery to homes or businesses.

    Input by the public as part of the study may be made to: Consumer Affairs Manager, Mississippi District, 1461 Lakeover Road, Jackson, MS 39213-9695.