BREWER — 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 in Scarborough.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce said today that closing the mail 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 is scheduled to hold a public hearing on its proposal this evening in Brewer.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe was planning to attend to voice her opposition.