Pallone Announces Schools and Libraries in New Jersey Will Receive Nearly $24 Million from the Fifth and Sixth Rounds of Funding from FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund Program

Press Release

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced today that schools and libraries in New Jersey will receive $23,893,831 from the fifth and sixth rounds of funding from the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF). Schools and libraries in New Jersey's 6th Congressional District have received over $11.1 million, and New Jersey has received over $96 million from the Fund in total. In November, Pallone announced that New Jersey received over $17.8 million from the third and fourth rounds of funding from the program.

The ECF provides funding to help students, teachers, and library patrons get the tools they need to connect to the Internet from home -- crucial resources as families continue to rely on virtual classrooms and high-speed Internet to learn. Funding can be used to purchase modems, devices like laptops and tablets, broadband service, and more. The $7.17 billion ECF program was spearheaded by Pallone's Energy and Commerce Committee and authorized as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law in March.

"Schools and libraries in New Jersey continue to receive critical funding from the American Rescue Plan that will help ensure every student and teacher can stay connected to their classroom. In drafting the Emergency Connectivity Fund with my colleagues, we focused the program on helping to get broadband service and devices into the hands of the students, teachers, and library patrons who need them," Pallone said. "This funding, like the awards approved in the last three months, will help students do their homework, research, and complete at-home projects long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. This funding is a critical investment in the future of young people in our state, and I will continue to work to ensure that access to broadband and technology is not a barrier to learning for any student."

The schools in Pallone's 6th Congressional District receiving funding in the fifth and sixth funding waves include:

Woodbridge School District

$3,140,755

Edison Township School District

$2,060,221

Marlboro Township School District

$173,600

Middlesex County STEM Charter School

$87,536

Saint James School

$24,870

Saint Joseph School

$17,133

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