Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine on Tuesday applauded $49.9 million in federal funding to schools and libraries across the state to help expand access to internet connectivity for learning and to close the homework gap for students lacking online access.
The money is from the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Program authorized through through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Since September, the funds have been released in three waves, the latest this week.
“We’re proud to see these federal dollars go toward keeping Virginia’s communities connected. This investment will help close the digital divide, while improving access to job opportunities and educational resources for Virginians as we continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” said the Senators.
Wythe County schools received $113,831.04. Smyth County schools netted $64,199.60 while the smyth County Public Library in Marion received $23,787.22.
Warner and Kaine have long been strong supporters of expanding broadband access in Virginia. In August, they voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a comprehensive infrastructure package that delivers wins to communities across the Commonwealth, including at least $100 million to expand broadband across the Commonwealth. Under the bill, 1,908,000 or 23% of people in Virginia will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access. Last year, Warner and Kaine introduced the Emergency Educational Connections Act, legislation to help ensure adequate home internet connectivity for K-12 students during the coronavirus pandemic.
