U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared three announcements from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) in support of broadband and connectivity in Alaska.
First, the FCC awarded four school districts in Alaska funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a program that helps schools and libraries provide the telecommunication tools and services students and communities need. Second, the FCC will open a third application filing window for emergency connectivity funding, from April 28 to May 13. Finally, the FCC announced an extension to the deadline to spend the funding awarded through the third window of applications: July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. These announcements follow significant advocacy from Senator Murkowski surrounding Alaska’s unique circumstances and needs.
LOCATION: Kotzebue
RECIPIENT: Northwest Arctic Borough School District
TOTAL: $14,371,030.47
LOCATION: McGrath
RECIPIENT: Iditarod Area School District
TOTAL: $508,166.40
LOCATION: Tok
RECIPIENT: Alaska Gateway School District
TOTAL: $134,033.15
LOCATION: Fairbanks
RECIPIENT: Yukon-Koyukuk School District
TOTAL: $630,444.00
“Education is fundamental to the future of any state, but the inability to access the internet and virtual learning at home, at school, and at the community library is deterring educational progress for students across Alaska. I worked hard with the FCC to ensure that Alaska’s schools, particularly rural schools that lack connectivity and broadband, will be able to provide students with the ability to get their work done from home,” said Senator Murkowski. “The good news doesn’t end at the announcement of funding awarded to these four school districts, though. I know that many schools and libraries in Alaska struggled with the ECF application process. I also recognize how important this funding is to maximize opportunities for young Alaskans. That’s why I pushed the FCC to ensure that they have enough time not only to apply for funding, but also to spend any funding that they may receive. I appreciate the FCC for recognizing the unique needs of Alaskans. This support is too critical to Alaska – to the educational experience of our young people – to be rushed.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The funding awarded to Alaska comes as a result of the first and second window of ECF applications. For more information on the schools and libraries receiving funding, click here.
The third application filing window will allow eligible schools and libraries a chance to submit requests for FCC funding for the purchase of eligible learning tools and equipment. This third opportunity will likely be the last round of applications available for the remaining ECF funds.
Original source can be found here.
