ARKADELPHIA, AR – The current economic downturn has affected every business in the country. When the nation’s businesses experience a downturn, it directly affects the volume of mail. Economic decline leads to a decline in mail volume. The current year is particularly challenging since mail volume has declined significantly

In order to remain economically viable, the Postal Service must make changes to its operations, staffing, and facilities to match current mail volume and to maintain the service performance the American public has come to expect.

“We are moving quickly to adjust carrier routes to respond to the current state of the economy,” said Postmaster Kathy Francis. “Our goal is to keep mail affordable and to provide excellent service to our customers.”

An unprecedented agreement signed recently with the National Association of Letter Carriers allows the Postal Service to move quickly to make these necessary changes.

While working to minimize any inconvenience from the changes, it is possible that mail delivery to some addresses will be at a different time than residents have grown accustomed.

Our goal remains to preserve the ability to provide quality service at reasonable rates now and well into the future.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.