Rep. Angie Craig Urges Postmaster General DeJoy to Work with Local Leaders to Address Mail Delivery Delays in the South Metro
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig is urging United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to work with local leaders and find a solution to improve mail service in Farmington and Lakeville.
In a letter, Rep. Craig highlighted how opening the joint post office would address the numerous capacity, storage and delivery issues facing USPS in two of Minnesota’s fastest growing cities.
“From July 2020 to July 2021 alone, Lakeville experienced a population growth rate of 3.8%, the fastest in Minnesota according to the Census Bureau. Furthermore, Lakeville is expected to reach a population of 85,000 as it continues to expand. I have repeatedly heard from constituents about poor mail delivery service. Additionally, the City of Farmington has expressed interest in relocating their current post office to better accommodate the safety and growth of a nearby school,” wrote Rep. Craig.
“Opening a local office near the border of Lakeville and Farmington would allow for improvements to be made in the efficiency of mail sorting and delivery while solving problems for each of the cities as they continue to grow,” she continued.
Rep. Craig’s letter is part of her continued efforts to address the persistent postal delivery delays and issues confronting Minnesotans.
Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt and Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier joined Rep. Craig’s call for action from the Postmaster General.
“Farmington supports a collaboration with the City of Lakeville and the U.S. Post Office to combine our facilities and resources for mail delivery. The consistent disruptions to our local mail delivery system are neither desirable, nor sustainable. We believe this is a shining example of how neighboring communities can work together to better serve our residents,” said Mayor Hoyt.
“A new post office will facilitate smoother mail and package deliveries and contribute to our community’s growth and convenience. We wholeheartedly welcome Congresswoman Craig’s efforts and look forward to working together to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Hellier.
Earlier this month, Rep. Craig joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith in calling on Postmaster General DeJoy to quickly address a payroll system error that resulted in an estimated 53,000 rural letter carriers missing their September 1st paycheck.
A full copy of the letter can be found here or copied below.
The Honorable Louis DeJoy
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20260
Dear Postmaster General DeJoy:
I write to you today to request that the United States Postal Service (USPS) examine the feasibility of opening a joint post office branch near the border between the City of Lakeville and the City of Farmington, Minnesota.
After meeting with the mayors of both cities, I firmly believe this would help improve mail delivery and increase customer service. Both postal facilities are USPS leased facilities and the leadership of each city is willing and ready to work together with USPS to better serve their constituents and your customers. I’ve seen firsthand after touring the Lakeville Post Office how it is already over its operating capacity and new options need to be explored.
Lakeville has experienced rapid population growth and business expansion over the last several years, and I fear that the postal service may not be expanding at the necessary rate. From July 2020 to July 2021 alone, Lakeville experienced a population growth rate of 3.8%, the fastest in Minnesota according to the Census Bureau.
Furthermore, Lakeville is expected to reach a population of 85,000 as it continues to expand. I have repeatedly heard from constituents about poor mail delivery service. Additionally, the City of Farmington has expressed interest in relocating their current post office to better accommodate the safety and growth of a nearby school.
Opening a local office near the border of Lakeville and Farmington would allow for improvements to be made in the efficiency of mail sorting and delivery while solving problems for each of the cities as they continue to grow.
Thank you for reviewing this letter and I look forward to your response on behalf of all the residents of Farmington and Lakeville.
Sincerely,
Angie Craig
Member of Congress
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