USPS moving Knox processing facility functions to Nashville

U.S. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy announced that the Knoxville Processing Facility functions will be moved to Nashville, but that the facility will remain and be modernized. The decision adjusted an Oct. 25 review proposal to shift the Knoxville services to Louisville, Kentucky.

The final Mail Processing Facility Review released this week states that “The Knoxville facility is not closing and will remain open and be modernized as a Local Processing Center.”

The review goes on to indicate that there will be no career layoffs as part of the initiative but in details list 17 craft position reductions as part of a projected savings of $3.1 to $4.1 million. It also lists transportation savings ranging from $980,000 to $1.3 million by modifying and eliminating existing services. The Nashville facilities are located over 160 miles from Knoxville.

U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02), who has said he has tried multiple times to meet with DeJoy regarding the review and other postal issues in East Tennessee, released a statement Tuesday following the review’s release by USPS.

“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,” Burchett said. “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.”

Rep. Burchett serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, one of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the postal service.