What:

Grand Opening of Village Post Office (VPO) in Long Beach, MS 39560

Who:

U. S. Postal Service, Mississippi District Office

When:

10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2014

Where:

Passport America, 8102 Red Creek Road, Long Beach, MS 39560

Background:

Located within communities in a variety of locations — convenience stores, gas stations, local businesses, libraries, or other government agencies — VPOs are operated by the management of those locations. The Postal Service announced the concept of the VPO in July 2011 as a way to increase access to postal products and services in the more rural communities across the nation.

VPOs offer a range of popular products and services — the ones most used by customers — including PO Boxes, Forever stamps, Pre-paid Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes and a mail collection box.

Located inside established businesses and other places consumers already frequent, VPOs offer Postal Service customers time-saving convenience, and in most cases, longer hours than regular Post Offices.

The first VPO opened in Malone, WA, in August 2011. Additional information about Village Post Offices, including the list of 100 VPOs, can be found at www.usps.com/villagepostoffice.