NAHMA Update: FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund Provides $7 billion for Connectivity Efforts in Schools and Libraries
June 23, 2021 Dear NAHMA Members,
If your company and properties coordinates with community schools and/or libraries, this may be a critical source of information and funding that you can share with them. The Federal Communications Commission will host a webinar on June 25, at 2 pm ET to provide an overview of the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7.17 billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. Eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support between June 29 and August 13, 2021, to purchase connected devices like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 to meet unmet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons during the COVID-19 emergency period. The free virtual webinar will be live streamed on fcc.gov/live and does not require registration. During, or in advance of this event, questions can be submitted by sending an email to [email protected]. The webinar will be recorded and available on the FCC’s website following the event. Additionally, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will also host an Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview for Potential Applicants training session on Wednesday, June 23 starting at 3 p.m. ET. Registration is required to attend. Interested parties can learn more about this training session and watch videos of earlier Emergency Connectivity Fund trainings by visiting: www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/training/live-sessions The FCC Fact Sheet on the program can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/ecf_factsheet.pdf and more information about the program is available at emergencyconnectivityfund.org, including information about how schools and libraries can apply and what schools and libraries can do now to prepare. To receive program updates and information about future training sessions, click here. |