Long Branch Schools Get $ To Provide Internet At Home To Students

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The Long Branch school district will receive $498,720 from the latest round of funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF), announced Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ6).

This announcement includes the first round of new funding commitments for the next academic year. To date, schools and libraries in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District have now received over $12.6 million, and New Jersey has received over $130 million from the fund in total.

The goal of this funding is to get high-speed, broadband Internet access in front of every child who needs it.

Approximately 16 million children nationwide lack home Internet access, hindering their ability to learn and do homework at home. Funding can be used to purchase modems, devices like laptops and tablets, broadband service and more.

“I’m glad that essential funding for our schools and libraries is coming to New Jersey to help every student and teacher stay connected to the classroom in the upcoming school year. In creating 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 who need them,” Pallone said. “This funding will help students do their homework, conduct research and complete at-home projects long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.”

The ECF provides funding to help students connect to the Internet from home. 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.