Florida news

Feb. 18, 2026

February 25 at 9:00am: USPS Invites Media, Business and Community Leaders to Tour New Sorting and Delivery Center in Lakeland, Florida

Media tour offers behind-the-scenes look at new sorting technology, facility upgrades and next generation delivery vehicles

What:

A guided tour of the new Lakeland Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC) highlighting updated operations, state-of-the-art package sorting technology, facility upgrades, and the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs). Interviews will be available following the tour.

Who:

  • Bryan Lalonde, Postmaster, Lakeland
  • Richard Fermo, District Manager, Florida 2
  • Randy LeClair, S&DC Implementation Specialist
  • Patrick Ecker, Director Fleet Strategy & Support
  • Kristi Parkerson, Postal Inspector

When:

Wednesday, February 25, at 9 a.m. (EST)

Where:

Lakeland, Florida S&DC
2800 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, Florida, 33805

Parking/Entry:

Instructions will be provided upon registration.

RSVP:

All invited guests must Register Here no later than February 23, 2026. Please note, members of the media should be prepared to show press credentials upon arrival.

What you’ll see:

  • S&DC overview: how mail and packages are staged and dispatched to strengthen last-mile delivery
  • New sorting technology: demonstration of equipment and workflow designed to improve speed and efficiency
  • Facility upgrades: improved layouts, new cases, and upgraded employee areas (break areas / restrooms, where permissible)
  • Vehicles: NGDVs on site and, where applicable, EV / charging readiness

Who’s invited:

This tour includes invited media, business partners, community leaders, and Postal Customer Council (PCC) members. Media should RSVP in advance to coordinate filming locations and interviews.

Visual / B-roll opportunities:

  • Package sorting equipment in operation
  • Workroom floor action, tour walk-through
  • Exterior signage and facility shots
  • NGDVs and other delivery vehicles on site
  • EVs / charging infrastructure (if applicable)
  • Upgraded employee areas (where permissible)

Background:

USPS continues to modernize operations to improve the speed and reliability of mail and package delivery and strengthen last-mile execution. Sorting and Delivery Centers are part of those efforts; USPS has opened more than 150 S&DCs nationwide over the past five years. Customers will see no changes to local Post Office retail operations; no Post Offices will be closed, and PO Box service will not be changed.

# # #

U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250 Years

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

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

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

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