Thursday 28th March 2024

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On Friday, March 11 – one year after the American Rescue Plan became law – Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) announced Missouri’s Fifth District has received $15,027,886.59 to date from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF). 

The ECF program, which was created as part of the American Rescue Plan, helps schools and libraries ensure that students can connect to the internet at home, allowing them to take advantage of online learning and do their homework. Known as the “homework gap,” students who lack access to the internet at home often fall behind their peers as curriculums and educational opportunities rely more and more on the ability to conduct online research and connect to the web.

According to the FCC, the $7.17 billion program has provided Missouri with $75,895,062.88 in total funding to date.

Congressman Cleaver says, “Make no mistake, the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare what was already true – that with educational tools, homework, and opportunities increasingly online, kids without home internet access are often left without the basics needs to succeed. This critical funding, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, will help children across Missouri and throughout the Fifth District who don’t have the equipment or internet access necessary to stay connected and get their work done in this ever-evolving, digitized world.”

Officials say the ECF Program is designed to help cover costs of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.

The area schools and libraries in Missouri’s Fifth District that have received funding from the FCC program include:

  • Concordia School District: $68,770.40
  • Marshall School District: $384,780.00
  • Odessa School District: $169,575.00
  • Santa Fe School District: $16,000.00
  • Slater School District: $111,959.15
  • Wellington-Napoleon School District: $52,810.00

Eligible schools and libraries may request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund.