HOUSTON — The U.S. Postal Service has added 10 locations in Houston to its USPS Connect Local pilot program, which launched on July 19. Initially offered in four Houston and three Dallas locations, the service is now available at 27 Texas postal facilities.

USPS Connect Local is a new offering that helps businesses and organizations provide local-to-local same-day or next-day package delivery at affordable rates. It is part of a broader USPS Connect program that is being piloted in stages to help businesses meet growing consumer demand for affordable, fast local and regional deliveries and returns.

The USPS Connect Local pilot allows business customers direct access to its unmatched last-mile delivery network. Once business customers are enrolled and agree to program terms and conditions, they can bring their prepaid labeled packages directly to the back dock of the postal facility closest to their package destinations. In return, they will get delivery rates that are usually only available to large-volume mailers. The Postal Service plans to expand to additional USPS Connect Local locations in the coming months as operational capabilities are refined.

“This delivery process is unprecedented, and we’re excited to be piloting it — first in Texas, and then across the country once we demonstrate our readiness,” said Jakki Krage Strako, USPS chief commerce and business solutions officer and executive vice president.

USPS Connect is a major component of the organization’s 10-year Delivering for America plan and is expected to contribute to the plan’s goal of $24 billion in net revenue growth.

It will also help businesses meet today’s e-commerce expectations. According to a recent report, 87 percent of consumers say the shipping experience directly impacts their decision to shop with a merchant again. Another recent report found half of consumers (51 percent) have purchased more from local retailers over the past six months, and experts expect this trend to continue.

“We are pleased with the expansion. More USPS Connect Local pilot locations means we have the opportunity to help more Houston-area businesses grow and succeed,” said Julia Wilbert, officer in charge at the Houston Post Office.

How the USPS Connect Local pilot works:

• Businesses submit their contact information at www.uspsconnect.com. A USPS representative will contact them to enroll and agree to the online terms and conditions.
• Next, they will visit USPS Click-N-Ship online to enter package information, print shipping labels, prepay for postage and receive tracking numbers, all in one place. No software integration needed.
• Then they will bring their labeled packages directly to the back dock of the designated postal facility first thing in the morning (5-7 a.m.) for expected same-day delivery, or 30 minutes before the back dock closes to receive next-day delivery to the ZIP code areas served by that location. They will then present their SCAN form and packages to the clerk.
• Carriers will deliver the packages as part of their daily routes.

Four postal facilities in the Houston area were chosen for the initial USPS Connect Local pilot launch:

• North Shepherd Post Office, 7511 N. Shepherd Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77037, 77039, 77076, 77088, 77091,77093, 77222, 77238 and 77291
• Oak Forest Post Office, 2499 Judiway St., servicing ZIP codes 77018, 77022, 77092 and 77292
• Beechnut Post Office, 11703 Beechnut St., servicing ZIP codes 77072, 77083, 77099 and 77272
• De Moss Post Office, located at 6500 De Moss Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77036, 77074, 77081, 77236 and 77274

These 10 locations were added today:

• Willow Place Post Office, 12955 Willow Place Drive W., servicing ZIP codes 77064, 77069, 77070 and 77269
• Memorial Park Post Office, 10505 Town and Country Way, servicing ZIP codes 77024, 77224 and 77279
• T.W. House Post Office, 1300 W. 19th St., servicing ZIP codes 77007, 77008, 77248 and 77270
• Fairbanks Post Office, 7050 Brookhollow West Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77040, 77065, 77240 and 77241
• Medical Center Post Office, 7205 Almeda Road, servicing ZIP codes 77030, 77054 and 77230
• Almeda Post Office, 3030 W Fuqua St., servicing ZIP codes 77045, 77047, 77053, 77085 and 77245
• Windmill Post Office, 9898 Almeda Genoa Road, servicing ZIP codes 77034, 77075, 77089 and 77275
• Grandville W. Elder Post Office, 550 Maxey Road, servicing ZIP codes 77013, 77015, 77029, 77049, 77213 and 77229
• Ashford West Post Office, 12655 Wittington Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77077, 77082, 77244 and 77282
• William Rice Post Office, 5201 Wakeforest St., servicing ZIP code 70005

The Postal Service is the only carrier that serves every address in every community in the country six, and often seven, days a week.

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.

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