IRON MOUNTAIN — A public meeting about the future of mail delivery in the Upper Peninsula will be held Monday in Iron Mountain. The meeting will center around getting public input on plans for changes at the U.S. Postal Service Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center in Kingsford. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time at the Pine Mountain Ski and Golf Resort, N3332 Pine Mountain Road in Iron Mountain.

Those unable to attend the meeting may also submit written comments at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-iron-mountain-mi through April 16.

The controversial plans have draw criticism from lawmakers at the local, state and national levels, as well as community leaders residents and businesses.

The Kingsford facility would be converted to a local processing center, with an investment of $3 million to $5 million in the site, according to Elizabeth Najduch, USPS strategic communications specialist for Michigan 1 and Michigan 2 Districts

“These investments include $1.25 million for a brand-new sorting machine that will help improve delivery services and $2.5 million for modernization efforts and deferred maintenance,” Najduch wrote in a statement.

She stated “modernization efforts will have no effect on services” in Kingsford.

“Our initial review found that converting the Kingsford facility into an LPC would allow mail and packages to move more seamlessly through our network, thereby enhancing services to residents and businesses,” Najduch stated. “Under this plan, local mail would not be affected. The vast majority of local mail travels out of state, and local-to-local mail will stay within the current two-to-three-day delivery standard. It is also important to note that business mail entry, post office, station and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be unaffected because of this review.”

“Our initial review found that converting the Kingsford facility into an LPC would allow mail and packages to move more seamlessly through our network, thereby enhancing services to residents and businesses,” Najduch wrote. “Under this plan, local mail would not be affected. The vast majority of local mail travels out of state, and local-to-local mail will stay within the current two-to-three-day delivery standard. It is also important to note that business mail entry, post office, station and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be unaffected because of this review.”

She said the center will not be closed and no career employees laid off under the plan. The Kingsford review is part of a $40 billion nationwide investment strategy — the Delivering for America plan — to “upgrade and enhance” its postal processing, distribution and transportation network.

Others disagree.

The USPS review has drawn criticism because becoming a LPC would shift some mail operations to Green Bay, Wis. The Kingsford processing facility is the only one in the U.P. and lawmakers say it’s central to the timely processing and delivery of mail.

Michelle Yuhasey, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 1189, noted changes already have had an effect on local services, as the center no longer is able to provide next-day delivery within the Upper Peninsula, as had been available until Jan. 8.

The USPS statement does not address whether next-day delivery will be restored if the Kingsford facility converts to a local processing center.

A previous meeting scheduled to get public input on the plan was canceled and was later rescheduled for April 1.

American Postal Workers Union Local 1189 has started an ad campaign against the plan. According to the ad, picketing is planned at the site of the meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

The ad accuses the Postal Service of stifling public comment and “dismantling delivery service standards.”

The union urges residents to speak out against the plan.