Powell County Kentucky – Brandon Farmer Asst. Editor (Cover Photo – by Paul Todd)
On June 1st, 2026, our local Stanton branch of UPS (United Parcel Service) officially closed its doors, forcing all its 51 employees to relocate to surrounding centers. Stanton employees were given the option to transfer to Lexington, Hazard, or Prestonsburg to continue in their tenure with organization. Many employees, like 24-year veteran Driver and familiar face on local routes, Jarrod Crowe, chose to transfer to Lexington. Package Car Loader and 11-year veteran, Cody Lopez, also made the decision to carry on his employment in Fayette County, despite the additional hardship and financial burden that naturally comes with transferring to a new location over 50 miles from our local center.
“My work scheduled has changed drastically, and with gas prices the way they are, it’s not very fun making the move to Lexington,” Cody explained, “The move to Lexington has already caused a few coworkers to quit, and I also see a few more – I think – before it’s all said and done.”
The Stanton Distribution Center had been in operation for 36 years, opening in 1990, moving to the county seat from Clay City, where the previous center had been operating for 25 years, opening 1965.
Paul Todd worked at our local UPS branches for 32 years, training over 1000 newly hired employees at the Stanton Center. He was the first Local Sort Supervisor at the old Clay City location and became the first Preload Supervisor at the Stanton Distribution Center when it opened in 1990. Paul retired from UPS in 2018.
“So many memories – a lifetime of friendships forged through hard work with the best people any could imagine being surrounded by,” Paul said, “Stanton Center was known throughout the Kentucky District as the best small center in Kentucky. Everyone at UPS wanted to be like Stanton. We were blessed with the best.”
Paul explained that the Stanton Distribution Center was by far the best extended center location in the Kentucky District due to its close proximity to the Mountain Parkway and ease of access to the 8 counties that it served.
“The historical significance of UPS in Powell County made a significant impact on our local development and structure for many years, starting in 1965 in Clay City, in the building that was owned by my uncle,” Paul shared, “We will feel the impact of this closure for many years to come.”
“The years will tell the true story of the impact of the closure because of the increased mileage to get to and from the cities Stanton was so near,” Paul continued, “Many of our drivers are now one hour from their first stop as opposed to 2 minutes of leaving the Stanton building. Stanton customers will feel the impact more so.”
The logistical challenges are certainly being felt, with business owners commenting on the changes in the distribution schedules, delays, and setbacks in their long-established routines. Businesses who were sending/receiving packages at 8 or 9 AM are now having to wait an hour later or more for this service. The delays are being felt by non-business customers as well.
Members of the community have been vocal about their feelings regarding the closure and have spoken out in show of support for their friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues affected by the changes.
“We’ve put a real strain on our community cloth, because those 51 employees were involved in this community,” said local business owner and Republican nominee/candidate for State Representative in the 91st District, Darrell Billings, speaking to the personal impacts of this closure on its employees, “They were coaches of our T-Ball, they went to our local churches, and picked their kids up from school when they got off work.”
“UPS has changed quite a bit since I started back in 2015,” said Cody Lopez, “We are going more towards the automation side, which is cutting out a lot of the smaller, hands-on jobs.”
The increased spending and investments in technology has led some to speculate that it has contributed to the company’s decision to close many of its distribution centers and buildings, with upwards of 26 locations closed in this last quarter and countless lives affected by the changes.
Please join the Patriot in wishing the best of luck to all our friends and neighbors who remain employed by UPS and formerly worked at the Stanton Distribution Center, and in support of their endeavors moving forward in their careers.
About the Author
