Several smaller post offices in this area are among the nearly 3,700 nationwide that could be closed by the U.S. Postal Service in a cost-reduction effort.
The Postal Service announced Tuesday that it will look at closing some of the smaller offices, branches and stations.
Some 167 Missouri post offices are on the “hit list” for possible closing. Among those are Bruner, Cedar Creek, Hardenville, Macomb, Peace Valley, Rockbridge, Rueter, Success and Zanoni in this area.
The Post Office operates more than 31,000 retail outlets across the country. In recent years, business has declined sharply at many of these locations as first-class mail moved to the Internet. On top of that, the recession led to a decline in advertising mail.
The Postal Service says the closings are not done deals; the list is only of “possible” closings.
The service is considering closing about 10 percent of its offices nationwide, saying the increased use of e-mail and the recession-caused decline in advertising mail produced a 58-million-dollar financial loss last year.
Most of the offices that face review are in rural areas but postal officials say they are looking into alternative service, such as locating offices in businesses, town halls or community centers.
