Two towns in northeastern Indiana are the settings for the latest opening of a Village Post Office, the U.S Postal Service’s model for partnering with small businesses to provide convenience and expanded service in rural America. To date, Indiana leads the nation in the number of VPOs opened.

Today, Mongo, in LaGrange County, will enhance its village status when the 38th VPO in the Greater Indiana District officially opens at 10 a.m. at the Town and Country Market, 3000 N. SR 3. An open house will follow from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Also today, the second VPO and 39th in Indiana, will open at 1 p.m. at the County Line Marathon, 5126 W. County Road North, Columbia City. An open house will follow from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The new postal centers will both be opened by Manager of Post Office Operations Todd Mansker. Several USPS and local officials will be present at the events.

In 2011, the Postal Service introduced the VPO model as an alternate retail location for postal products and services, especially in rural communities.

VPOs are operated by local businesses contracting with the Postal Service, and offer a range of popular postal products and services including stamps and flat-rate packaging.

Additional information about the Village Post Office is available online.