JACKSON — Mississippi has become the latest test site for the United States Postal Service’s new business model in an attempt to help shave costs and stop the federal agency from hemorrhaging funds.
The model, Village Post Office, is one that partners with existing businesses in rural areas to offer postal services. Mississippi’s first one is in a grocery store in the Monroe County’s Prairie community.
The Clarion-Ledger reports the new service opened Wednesday at Knox Grocery.
Store owner Barry Smitherman says his employees will handle the sale of items such as stamps and flat-rate shipping boxes. He says there are also plans to have post office boxes set up outside the store where customers can rent space.
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