The U.S. Postal Service is studying the consolidation of RGV–McAllen's area mail processing AMP parentheses facility into Corpus Christi. Such a consolidation, if allowed to happen, will increase long-term costs, lower efficiencies and harm a growing and dynamic economy in the Rio Grande Valley area this will be the 3rd attempt to close the AMP facility in RGV–McAllen. Here are 5 key points to consider:

The last consolidation study was never made public. There has been no publication of economic, productivity or efficiency benchmarks. In other words, what is the tipping point for clear economic benefit for a consolidation?

Of the 250 AMP facilities to be considered for consolidation, RGV–McAllen's is ranked 4th in distance at 153 miles between Corpus Christi and McAllen. With increasing energy costs,  any proposed savings would be eliminated because of higher fuel costs.

The 2010 census population for the McAllen MSA was 774,769, and is projected to increase to 842,344 in 2012; Corpus Christi MSA population in the 2010 census was 428,185 and is projected to decline to  425,814 in 2012.

Over 80% of the mail processed at the RGV McAllen AMP stays in the Rio Grande Valley. The Postal Service loses any efficiency and productivity with the consolidation of the AMP facilities into Corpus Christi.

Current delivery time of a first-class letter going to Corpus Christi and returning to McAllen is, on average, 8 business days. In a global economy, a poor performance of that scope is unacceptable.

The Rio Grande Valley has 3 communities that ranked in the top 10 least expensive places to live and do business in the United States area the RGV region continues to produce new jobs and industrial relocations, in spite of a national recession and economic downturn. Why not continue to expand and invest in a growing area?