WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens has introduced legislation that would help preserve services offered by post offices .

The Community Postal Service Preservation and Cost Savings Act would require the Postal Service to review and consider co-locating post offices at retail facilities and municipal buildings. The bill would include post offices that have already closed and those still under threat of closure.

“This legislation offers a solution that cuts costs without sacrificing critical services for New Yorkers,” Owens said. “Closing post offices in our region is not the same as shutting down facilities in urban areas, especially when the nearest location can be as far as 15 miles away. While that might not seem like a lot, imagine doing it in the middle of a New York winter.”

Owens says the bill aims to take advantage of the potential that exists in local municipal buildings and community businesses to host postal facilities, in some cases saving the USPS the cost of leasing a building that solely serves postal operations.

The bill will help the USPS system work better for its customers and employees while recovering funds that can be used to preserve rural mail service.

“These offices help people to look out for their neighbors and connect to their community, and it is critical that we work to find a solution that works best for rural areas and practices fiscal responsibility,” said Owens.