Appalachian Region Consumer Outreach Rural Tour

Representatives from the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau went on an Appalachian Region Consumer Outreach Rural Tour December 3^rd through the 7^th.  They visited several cities in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee and hosted consumer informational events and met with local leaders and groups that represent and work with these communities.

The goal of the trip was to expand outreach to consumers in rural areas and underserved communities, to provide consumer information and resources on telecommunications issues that affect their daily lives, as well as provide warnings and alerts on recent scams which have cost consumers millions of dollars.  The FCC seeks to build partnerships with local consumer-oriented entities to help improve the effectiveness of future outreach efforts and establish ways to work together to reach consumers and community members.

Topics covered:

• Robocalls, spoofing, scam alerts
• Slamming, cramming and other telephone bill related items
• Television Broadcast Transition (What consumers need to know; how to take action; Broadcast TV Stations in your area will be affected)
• Broadband and Digital Inclusion: encouraging everyone to get online
• Telehealth
• Lost and Stolen Mobile Devices – Protecting Mobile Devices
• How to make your views heard at the FCC
• How to file complaints and comments with the FCC

Tour Events

Day 1: Monday, 12/3

• Meetings with local leaders in Bridgeport, WV  and Clarksburg, WV – closed to the general public

• 6:00 pm
  Presentation at the  American Legion
  136 Airport Rd. Bridgeport, WV 26330

Day 2: Tuesday, 12/4

• 11:00 am
  Presentation at the Harrison County Senior Center
  500 W. Main Street in Clarksburg, WV  26301

• Meetings with local leaders in Charleston, WV – closed to the general public

• 4:00 p.m.
  Consumer Presentation at Cabell County Library
  455 Ninth Street Huntington, WV 25701

 Day 3: Wednesday, 12/5

• Meetings with local leaders in Elizabethtown, KY and Frankfort, KY – closed to the general public

• 2:30 pm
  Consumer Presentation at Hardin County Public Library, North Branch
  800 South Logsdon Parkway, Radcliff, KY 40160 

Day 4: Thursday, 12/6

• Meetings with local leaders in Waverly, TN and Huntingdon, TN – closed to the general public

Day 5: Friday, 12/7

• 10:30 am
  Consumer Presentation at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library
  1101 Bethel Street, Hopkinsville, KY  42240