Congressman Cohen Announces $18.4 Million to Shelby County Schools and Libraries from the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
Internet access provided through the American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON -- One year after the American Rescue Plan became law, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Tennessee's 9th Congressional District has received $18,459,774
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.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare what was already true — that with educational tools, homework, and opportunities increasingly online, kids without internet access at home are often left without the basics needed to succeed. This critical funding, made possible by the American Rescue Plan, will help children across Tennessee's 9th Congressional District who don't have the equipment or internet access necessary to stay connected and get their work done. I'm proud to have supported this program in Congress and will keep fighting to close the homework gap because students – regardless of zip code or circumstance – deserve the tools they need to succeed in school."
The ECF Program will 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 schools and libraries in Congressman Cohen's district that have received funding from the FCC program include:
- Aurora Collegiate Academy, $7,065.72
- Beacon College Preparatory Inc, $6,400.00
- City University School District, $78,800.00
- First Assembly Christian School, $52,000.00
- Freedom Preparatory Academy, $485,472.50
- Granville T Woods Academy Of Innovation, $286,306.20
- Grizzlies Academy (School), $88,060.00
- Kipp Memphis Consortium, $483,000.00
- Memphis Academy Of Health Sciences, $80,000.00
- Memphis Buisness Academy, $100,000.00
- Memphis Buisness Academy Elementary, $110,800.00
- Memphis Business Academy High, $149,200.00
- Memphis College Prep Elementary School, $61,300.00
- Memphis Main Public Library, $210,000.00
- Memphis Merit Academy, Inc., $12,747.70
- Memphis Scholars Consortia, $192,003.52
- Millington Municipal Schools, $226,800.00
- Perea Elementary School, $75,400.00
- Promise Academy, $324,520.00
- Shelby County School District, $15,101,600.00
- Soulsville Charter Consortium, $63,000.00
- Star Academy, $172,800.00
- Vision Preparatory Charter School Inc., $92,499.00