CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — In an effort to provide convenient access to postal services and help reduce retail lobby traffic in local Post Offices, the U.S. Postal Service is looking for Charlottesville businesses interested in operating a mini-Post Office. These mini-Post Offices operate within an existing business. They are called Contract Postal Units, or CPUs.  There are more than 4,000 CPUs nationwide.

In March postal officials mailed letters to businesses in the Charlottesville delivery zones with an invitation to informational seminars where business owners can learn more about the benefits of a CPU partnership.  Seminars are scheduled at:

• Northside Branch Library, 300 Albemarle Square, 22901, Wednesday, March 27, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
• Central Branch Library, 201 E Market St 22902, Thursday, April 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Gordon Branch Library, 1500 Gordon Ave 22903, Thursday, April 11, 11a.m. – 12 p.m.

“Contract Postal Units traditionally increase customer traffic, sales and satisfaction with the host business,” said Postal Service Retail Specialist Kris Lydon.  “The business can distinguish itself from nearby competition by offering what competitors don’t have – postal services.”  Lydon said the Postal Service provides counters, signage, a computer system that weighs the mail and determines the postage fee. They also provide the necessary training, while the host business provides space measuring approximately 150 square feet. 

The business keeps a percentage of sales from most products and services provided at the CPU.  Lydon also pointed out that participating businesses are not authorized to compete with the Post Office by offering private mailboxes or other competitive products, and that the location must be handicapped accessible.

The seminars are free and seating is limited, so reservations are preferred.  Businesses wanting to sign up for a seminar or obtain more information are asked to call Ms. Lydon at 804-775-6386.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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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, 151 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 $65 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 35th in the 2011 Fortune 500. In 2011, the U.S. Postal Service was ranked number one in overall service performance, out of the top 20 wealthiest nations in the world, Oxford Strategic Consulting. 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 for six years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.

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