Correction Oct. 26, 2012: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the price of postage stamps.
The United States Postal Service has declared another hike in the price of stamps beginning in January.
The Postal Service will increase the price of a stamp from 45 cents to 46 cents as a direct result of the agency’s ongoing financial struggles.
Some rural post offices, like in Hartsburg, consider alternatives to remain open. Options include reducing hours, delivery service through a rural route or using a nearby post office.
Postal Service spokesperson Valerie Welsch said the notion that these small town post offices will close is false.
“Rural America wants their post office, nobody likes losing their post office," Welsch said. "We’re offering these options to rural post offices to try to keep these offices open while at the same time, giving the postal service an opportunity to get on more sound financial footing.”
The Postal Service said it continues to struggle as people turn to the internet to pay bills and send emails. Welsch said rural post offices, such as in Hartsburg, should remain open.
“By and large rural post offices across America and certainly in the Columbia area are not scheduled for closure," Welsch said.
A community meeting is scheduled for Nov. 28 at the Hartsburg Post Office.