Manchin Announces $400K From American Rescue Plan To Expand Broadband Access Through West Virginia Schools, Libraries

Manchin Announces $400K From American Rescue Plan To Expand Broadband Access Through West Virginia Schools, Libraries

Charleston, WV - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced $400,947 from the American Rescue Plan for two West Virginia schools, a school district, and a library in the latest round of funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund. This funding is distributed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help schools and libraries purchase laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connections for students, staff and library visitors. To date, West Virginia has received $37,324,739 for schools, school districts, libraries and other education organizations from the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

"Ensuring access to reliable, affordable broadband in every part of West Virginia continues to be one of my top priorities. The American Rescue Plan continues to provide critical funding to increase connectivity and broadband access through the Emergency Connectivity Fund and other programs," said Senator Manchin. "To date, the Emergency Connectivity Fund has delivered more than $37 million for West Virginia schools, school districts and libraries to purchase laptops, hotspots and other materials needed for Wi-Fi access. And West Virginia can expect to receive around $600 million to increase broadband access through my bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will help bring broadband access to every holler in the Mountain State."

The Emergency Connectivity Fund was authorized in the American Rescue Plan last year to provide $7.17 billion to expand distance learning and connectivity around the country, including key provisions authored by Senator Manchin which prioritized rural areas and made these funds fully reimbursable to ensure rural states like West Virginia do not have to bear the burden of higher costs.

Individual awards listed below:

• $352,900 - Jefferson County School District
• $30,024.55 - Heritage Christian School
• $17,673 - Our Lady of Peace School
• $349.95 - Upshur County Library

A timeline of Senator Manchin's efforts to expand broadband can be found here.

A timeline of Senator Manchin's work on the Emergency Connectivity Fund:

• In January 2021, Senator Manchin announced $561,367 from the American Rescue Plan for three West Virginia schools, school districts, libraries and other education organizations in the latest round of funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund.
• In November, 2021, Senator Manchin announced $16,072,811 from the Emergency Connectivity Fund to for 13 West Virginia schools, school districts, libraries and other education organizations.
• In October, 2021, Senator Manchin announced $12,760,030 from the Emergency Connectivity Fund for 19 West Virginia schools, school districts and libraries.
• In September, 2021, Senator Manchin announced $4,188,368 from the Emergency Connectivity Fund for 12 West Virginia schools, school districts and libraries.