Cezary Podkul and Emily Stephenson examine the likely economic and social consequences of efforts by the U.S. Postal Service to close thousands of rural post offices this year.
While officials blame the internet for killing the U.S. Postal Service, an examination of plans for post office closures reveals that "about one-third of the offices slated for closure fall in areas with limited or no wired broadband Internet."
Furthermore, "Nearly 80 percent of the 3,830 post offices under consideration are in sparsely populated rural areas where poverty rates are higher than the national average," and the post office serves as the only way to do business.
Although the Postal Service has chosen which offices to close based on revenue, "The statistics show that closing all the post offices under consideration would save about $295 million a year, about four-tenths of 1 percent of the Postal Service's annual expenses of $70 billion."
FULL STORY: Post office closings may increase rural isolation, economic disparity
Sustainability Advocates Reject USPS Electrification Plan
Critics say the Postal Service's argument for its weak commitment to electrifying its vehicle fleet doesn't hold water.
$9 Billion for Rural 5G
The Federal Communications Commission announced a new 5G Fund this week.
Designing Park Space on the Former Location of a Post Office
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
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Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie