The Hays mail processing facility will remain open until after the first of the year.

U.S. Postal Service spokesman Brian Sperry says the upcoming political and holiday-mailing busy seasons are why sorting facilities won’t be merged this fall.

Nationwide, the Postal Service plans to merge 48 facilities this summer, and another 89 early next year as cost-cutting measures. Hays will be merged into Wichita and North Platte, Nebraska.

Outgoing mail in Hays is already shipped to Salina for sorting and then returned.   Locally mailed items remain in Hays where they’re sorted and delivered the next day.