The U.S. Postal Service will close the Eight Mile Station at 4545 St. Stephens Rd, Mobile, Ala. on June 18, 2011, consolidating its operations with the Prichard Branch located at 130 E Prichard Ave, Mobile, Ala. Eight Mile Post Office Box customers will retain their same PO Box number and ZIP Code; their mailing address will not change.    

We announced a plan to study the feasibility of this consolidation late in 2009, soliciting comments from the community. After an exhaustive review of the relevant operational, customer service, and financial questions—including comments and concerns expressed by many of our customers—we have concluded this consolidation is operationally feasible; will not impact street delivery to residential or business customers; and will substantially reduce fixed cost.

Because of the continuing migration of hard copy messages to electronic alternatives, the downturn in the economy, and some extraordinary requirements in the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, we are compelled to continue our aggressive plan of cost reductions which began nearly a decade ago. From Fiscal Year 2002 through 2007 we cut costs an average of $1 billion a year; in 2008 we reduced costs by $2 billion; and cut cost an additional $9 billion in the last two years.

Despite these initiatives the men and women of the Postal Service drove productivity to record highs in 2010 and achieved high levels of on-time delivery. However, in spite of these and other efforts, including substantial reductions in the size of our workforce, the losses continue to mount.

The Postal Service is self-sustaining and must earn, by the sale of postage and other services, its entire operations budget. We are proud to say the Postal Service has neither requested nor received any Congressional appropriation for operations since 1984.

Like any self-sustaining enterprise, the Postal Service cannot, in the long run, spend more than it makes and, since many of our losses in volume and revenue will likely be permanent, we must take further action to reduce further by consolidating, streamlining and adjusting our operation.

The following is a summary of what this change will bring about:

• Zero impact on delivery to homes and businesses;
• Retail and Post Office Box service will continue to be available in four nearby offices;
• Post Office Box customers may opt for free delivery to their home or business and a prorated refund of their PO Box rent.
• All affected career employees will be reassigned in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, if possible in the immediate area.

Finally, it should be noted that for those with an internet connection, there is little need to drive to a Post Office. At USPS.COM, customers can buy stamps; order free Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging; print shipping labels complete with Postage; and request a free package pickup at their home or business. In addition, Postage stamps can also be purchased at 1.800.STAMP 24, thousands of ATMs and more than 55,000 independent retailers across the nation.

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A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $67 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.