KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The United States Postal Service announced its plan to modernize mail operations at its Knoxville Processing and Distribution Center on Tuesday.
This is part of a $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the postal service's processing, transportation, and delivery networks, according to a release from USPS.
The announcement comes following a thorough review and proposal of public feedback on the facility’s future. The review determined that it would remain open and modernized as a Local Processing Center.
This also supports transferring mail processing outgoing operations to the Nashville P&DC and the Music City Annex in Nashville, TN, instead of Louisville P&DC in Louisville, KY as was originally planned.
A majority of mail and packages are stationed outside the Knoxville area.
The investment in the Knoxville facility is a part of the Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America (DFA) plan to modernize the delivery network and help the USPS save money.
The improvements for the Knoxville facility will result in up to $9 million in investments for modernization efforts and deferred maintenance. These investments will result in expanded and streamlined package processing and distribution capabilities, according to a release.
The future Knoxville LPC, the Nashville P&DC, and the Music City Annex will be critical nodes in the network transformation plan.
Rep. Tim Burchett released a statement on the announcement below:
“I appreciate Postmaster General DeJoy taking my call last week and listening to my concerns about the possible relocation of local distribution operations. I’m glad to see USPS will keep the Knoxville facility open and invest in modernization improvements. I will keep monitoring how these changes impact folks in my district, and I’ll continue advocating to make sure the U.S. Postal Service does everything it can to take care of its employees in East Tennessee and the people who rely on its services.”
USPS also announced there will be no career employee layoffs, which was a concern from state representatives.
Once changes are made, business mail entry, Post Office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be enhanced, according to USPS.
After the Knoxville facility is converted to an LPC, it is anticipated that it will be able to mail and ship packages, manual letters and flats. The LPC is also looking to offer express services and accept bulk and permit mail.