Why does a Springfield flooring company care so much about net neutrality?

The manager of Midwest Rug & Linoleum Co. has received several phone calls about net neutrality since the billboards went up a little more than a week ago.

"Most people have no idea net neutrality is even an issue," Rob Edwards told the News-Leader.

Midwest Rug has specialized in selling and installing floor coverings in Springfield since 1947. The business recently put up a simple and somewhat cryptic message on a few billboards around town: "Net Neutrality. Be Aware."

Edwards said he decided to change the billboards for a week to try to raise awareness about the Federal Communication Commission's plan to overturn net neutrality regulations that went into effect during the Obama administration.

In 2015, the FCC adopted net neutrality rules that prevented internet service providers from blocking or throttling legal content, as well as preventing providers from accepting payment to promote certain information.

Now the FCC wants to overturn those regulations. Opponents say an overturn would hurt consumers and businesses. If the FCC's proposed rules are passed, it would be seen as a victory for big companies such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon.

Edwards said he is worried about how Midwest Rug could be affected if the FCC gets what it wants.

Telecom and cable companies could favor large retailers, such as Amazon, over small local businesses like Midwest Rug by controlling the sites' bandwidths, he said.

Overall, Edwards is concerned about the consequences of corporations asserting more control over the internet.

"If they repeal net neutrality, they would be able to regulate what traffic gets sent to what websites," Edwards said.

They could push political agendas by limiting access to certain webpages, Edwards said.

"If you're Democrat or Republican, you need access to all opinions," he said.

The new rules would require Internet service providers to disclose any blocking or prioritization of its own content or from a partner.

The FCC is expected to vote Dec. 14.

Edwards said when people ask him about net neutrality, he tells them to do a "Google search."

"I'm not trying to spread my opinion," he said. "I'm just trying to get people to look and pay attention to make their own decisions.... Too much of the political process is people sitting back and letting it happen to them."

The net neutrality billboards are coming down Monday, Edwards said. To his knowledge, this is the first time Midwest Rug has used billboards to weigh in a political issue.

The new message? It's Midwest Rug wishing everyone a merry Christmas, he said.

USA Today contributed to this report.