Reed: $12.25 Million in Federal Tech Funds for RI Schools and Libraries to Help Close Digital Divide

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

Over 50 RI schools and libraries get a share of federal connectivity funding through the American Rescue Plan

Reed announces $12.25 million in ECF awards across the state

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced over $12.25 million in American Rescue Plan broadband investments for Rhode Island schools and libraries. The funding flows to the Ocean State via the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which commits federal funds to support schools and libraries in providing digital tools and services to communities harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the American Rescue Plan (P.L. 117-2), Senator Reed helped provide federal funding for the ECF to help schools and libraries nationwide support remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period and to enhance access to technology and connectivity.  The federal funds will reimburse schools and libraries for technology expenditures such as chromebooks, laptops, tablets and remote Wi-Fi hot spots for unserved or underserved students, school staff, and library patrons.

“In the 21st century, home internet access is becoming as essential as other utilities.  This is a smart federal investment in better connecting more underserved students, families, seniors, and communities to technology and opportunities,” said Senator Reed.  “Every child deserves a great education.  This federal funding will ensure all students have the devices and connectivity they need to do their homework.  And our libraries are stepping up to help eliminate digital shortfalls so that everyone in the community can access the technology and tools they need to conduct essential daily tasks, whether it’s connecting with people, employers, commerce, or government.  This funding helps libraries lend out laptops or other devices and hotspot access that can make a world of difference.  I am pleased to help deliver this federal funding and will continue working to ensure all Rhode Islanders are connected.”

Senator Reed worked with his colleagues to include emergency E-Rate funding for schools and libraries to cover the costs of equipment and broadband connections for students, staff, and patrons in the American Rescue Plan.  Senator Reed was an original cosponsor of the legislation the program was based on.

In addition to this ECF technology funding, Senator Reed says Rhode Island will also receive at least $100 million in federal funds to enhance broadband as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L 117-58), which was signed into law by President Biden this past November.  Those federal funds will help families nationwide access reliable, high-speed internet, with more federal dollars available through grant funding.  Low-income families in Rhode Island will be eligible for the new Affordable Connectivity Program established under the legislation, which provides up to $30 per month in discounted internet service and a one-time $100 discount on internet-connected devices.

Additional information on the Emergency Connectivity Fund program is available at: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org

Additional information on the Affordable Connectivity Program is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/acp

Rhode Island schools and libraries receiving ECF funding to date include:

Applicant

City

Total Obligated $

Central Falls School District

Central Falls

$402,293.00

Central Falls School District

Central Falls

$60,000.00

Pawtucket City School District

Pawtucket

$1,983,238.70

East Providence School District

East Providence

$300,000.00

The Learning Community Charter School

Central Falls

$36,707.76

Pawtucket Public Library

Pawtucket

$16,025.00

Met School District

Providence

$90,120.65

Providence Community Library System

Providence

$32,423.29

Bristol Warren Regional School District

Bristol

$9,000.00

Bristol Warren Regional School District

Bristol

$89,700.00

Newport Public School District

Newport

$374,966.04

East Smithfield Public Library

Smithfield

$5,208.00

East Smithfield Public Library

Smithfield

$1,999.95

Adams Memorial Library

Central Falls

$12,460.00

Brownell Public Library

Little Compton

$3,940.00

Rhode Island School For Deaf

Providence

$7,633.10

Providence Hebrew Day School

Providence

$2,067.24

Rhode Island Mayoral Academy Blackstone Valley Admin

Cumberland

$385,590.00

Smithfield Public School District

Smithfield

$51,648.00

Spurwink  RI

Lincoln

$4,000.00

North Providence School District

N Providence

$458,272.00

Tiverton Library Services

Tiverton

$2,990.00

Tiverton School District

Tiverton

$92,886.00

Portsmouth School Department

Portsmouth

$364,000.00

Lincoln School Department

Lincoln

$196,722.00

Middletown Public Schools

Middletown

$23,518.46

Little Compton School District

Little Compton

$26,314.00

Little Compton School District

Little Compton

$6,210.00

Jamestown School District

Jamestown

$24,000.00

Gordon School

Providence

$47,600.00

Providence Country Day School

Providence

$118,562.40

The Jewish Community Day School Of RI

Providence

$20,000.00

Providence School District

Providence

$2,528,029.80

Charette High School

Providence

$31,830.20

Providence Public Library

Providence

$25,643.00

New Shoreham School Department

New Shoreham

$12,600.00

Coventry Public Schools

Coventry

$9,852.00

Coventry Public Schools

Coventry

$481,097.80

Scituate School District

Clayville

$164,850.00

West Warwick School District

West Warwick

$305,000.00

West Warwick School District

West Warwick

$27,200.00

North Kingstown School District

N. Kingstown

$4,200.00

Burrillville School Department

Harrisville

$231,823.00

Warwick Public Library

Warwick

$1,350.00

Foster Public Library

Foster

$1,680.00

Exeter-West Greenwich Regional District

West Greenwich

$93,050.40

The Prout School

Wakefield

$24,746.30

South Kingstown School District

Wakefield

$188,457.48

Paul Cuffee School

Providence

$79,800.00

Paul Cuffee School

Providence

$34,800.00

Johnston Public Schools

Johnston

$152,331.50

Cranston Public Schools

Cranston

$1,785,200.00

Westerly School District

Westerly

$54,522.00

East Greenwich Public Schools

East Greenwich

$589,616.00

La Salle Academy

Providence

$80,000.00

St Augustine School

Providence

$49,340.00

Community Preparatory School

Providence

$17,999.40

St Kevin School

Warwick

$11,217.56

St Kevin School

Warwick

$1,155.87

St Peter School

Warwick

$4,589.83

Father John V Doyle School

Coventry

$9,206.10