BREWER, Maine (AP) — Opponents are speaking out against a U.S. Postal Service proposal to close a mail processing center in central Maine and merge it with one 130 miles away.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday that closing the processing center in Hampden and consolidating it with one in Scarborough would slow mail service in the region and result in the loss of nearly 200 postal worker jobs.

The chamber’s board of directors said it recognizes the need for the postal service to restructure, but said closing facilities like the one in Hampden is an inappropriate solution.

The U.S. Postal Service was holding a public hearing on its proposal Wednesday evening in Brewer.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins were planning to attend to voice their opposition.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.