Media Contact: 
Evan Swarztrauber, (202) 418-2261
evan.swarztrauber@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release
   --
Carr to Visit Montana and Wyoming, Including Events with Senator Daines and Congressman Gianforte
Focus on Rural Broadband, Smart Ag, Telehealth, Workforce, and Manufacturing

WASHINGTON—FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr will visit Montana and Wyoming, including events in Missoula with Senator Steve Daines and events in Billings with Congressman Greg Gianforte.  

Montana (May 28-29) 

On Tuesday, Carr will begin the day in Missoula at a wireless tower on Blackfoot Mountain, to see how fixed wireless service is providing connectivity to rural and remote areas of the state.  Following that, he’ll head to a telehealth facility with Senator Daines where they will meet with doctors to discuss the benefits of telehealth in Montana and the connectivity challenges of delivering service in a rural state.  Then, they’ll visit a tech center where firefighters and smokejumpers are using technology to combat forest fires.  Commissioner Carr will then continue his trip with a visit to a high-tech manufacturer of excavators, including those used to deploy broadband infrastructure.  Sticking with manufacturing, he’ll then head to an American drone manufacturer to see how UAVs are being used to inspect and maintain wireless infrastructure for 5G deployments.  He’ll wrap up the day at a company that manufactures and installs telecommunications equipment to discuss workforce training needs.

On Wednesday, Carr will visit Great Falls, beginning with a visit to a mill in Montana’s “golden triangle” grain area to see how broadband is powering smart ag to enhance food production and sustainability.  Next up is a visit to an infrastructure manufacturer that makes products to serve telecom companies, as well as power and other utility companies.  He’ll finish up in Great Falls with a precision agriculture demo before heading to Hobson, Montana, for a rural fiber installation project.  He’ll wrap up the day at a cattle ranch where broadband is integrated into daily operations.    

Wyoming (May 30)

Carr begins the day in Cody with a visit to rural radio stations to hear about the challenges of rural radio and policies that can incentivize investment in local journalism.  Following that, he’ll visit a community college in Powell to learn about workforce development and participate in a town hall with members of the local community.  He’ll finish up in Cody at a satellite manufacturing facility.  He’ll conclude the day with a tour of wireless towers and small cell builds on federal lands.

Montana (May 31)

Carr kicks off the final day of his trip in Billings at a livestock barn, which uses broadband to broadcast auctions and expand their market beyond town borders.  Then, he’ll join Congressman Gianforte for a visit to a radio station, which provides coverage to farmers and agricultural communities.  Carr will then head to Forsyth to visit a rural fiber project and a community health center, which is using broadband for telehealth.

If members of the media are interested in attending these visits, contact Evan Swarztrauber at or at (202) 418-2261 for more information.

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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200
Twitter: @BrendanCarrFCC
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr