Congressman Pete Visclosky responded today to the initial results of a study by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that supports the consolidation of the Gary Processing and Distribution Facility into a facility in South Bend, Indiana.

Additionally, Visclosky announced that he will be meeting with the U.S. Postmaster General next week and shared information about opportunities for local residents to submit their own responses to the study.

“I remain opposed to closing the Gary Processing and Distribution Center and will fight the job loss and delayed mail service that I fear may result from its consolidation,” said Visclosky. “I plan to convey these concerns when I meet with the United States Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe next week on June 22, 2011. Should Northwest Indiana residents wish to share their own comments or concerns with me on this issue, I would be pleased to convey them to Mr. Donahoe when I reiterate my strong opposition to consolidation next week.”

This week, Visclosky received notification from the USPS Greater Indiana District Manager that the initial results of an Area Mail Processing study support the case for consolidation. The review by the Greater Indiana District office is complete, and the study is now in review at USPS headquarters, where it is subject to change.

In addition to sharing comments with Visclosky’s office prior to June 22, members of the public can share their concerns with the U.S. Post Office in one of two ways:

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at the Indiana University Northwest Bergland Auditorium, 3400 Broadway, Gary, Indiana, 46408. All members of the public are invited to attend and voice their concerns.

The U.S. Post Office will also accept written comments postmarked by July 15, 2011, at the following address: Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact, Greater Indiana District, 3939 Vincennes Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46298-9661.

Previously, on February 28, Visclosky had contacted Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in response to a letter sent to his office announcing a consolidation study of the Gary Processing and Distribution Center. Visclosky expressed his strong support for keeping the facility open and his opposition to the consolidation of its operations into the South Bend facility.

In that letter, Visclosky stated:

As a reliable local employer, the Gary Processing and Distribution Center is a critical component of the economy in the City of Gary and for the Northwest Indiana community. The Gary facility serves as the distribution center for not only its own neighborhood, but many suburban and rural areas on our region, all of which need efficient, timely mail service. I am greatly concerned that this service will be impeded should the United States Postal Service decide to consolidate the facility. Furthermore, I am confident that public input and comments will confirm the vital role that the Gary Processing and Distribution Center plays in surrounding communities.”

To submit comments for Visclosky to share with Postmaster General Donahoe on June 22, 2011, Northwest Indiana residents can call Visclosky’s Merrillville office, at 219.795.1844, or send an e-mail through his website, at http://visclosky.house.gov

Posted 6/16/2011