After Rounds’ Push, USPS Announces Huron Mail Processing Facility Will Remain Open

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) released a statement following the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) announcement that they will be retaining local mail processing operations at the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron. Rounds led the push to keep local processing at this facility since the initial decision to downsize the location was announced in February 2024.

“I am pleased to see that leaders at the USPS have reconsidered their decision to move local processing operations away from the Dakota Central facility in Huron,” said Rounds. “South Dakotans rely on USPS’s rural services to receive their mail. Transferring local processing operations to Fargo, North Dakota would have resulted in a slower delivery time for packages and letters, particularly for letters originating in Huron that simply need to be sent across town.

“In addition to keeping local processing, USPS is also investing up to $3 million in improvements at Dakota Central which will further streamline mail processing in South Dakota. I’ve appreciated working with USPS leadership on this issue and look forward to our continued partnership to sustain and improve mail delivery services in South Dakota.”

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on protecting rural USPS services. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, USPS paused the downsizing of mail processing facilities in Huron and Sioux Falls.

In addition, Rounds first introduced the Postal Processing Protection Act in June 2024, legislation that would require USPS to consider consequences for rural areas during their closure or downsizing review process in order to protect rural mail processing facilities. Rounds recently reintroduced this legislation in the 119th Congress.

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