WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) recently announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded West Virginia $785,089 in “E-Rate” funds through the Schools and Libraries Program. Rockefeller is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees the FCC.
“I created and have fought for this program because all West Virginians deserve access to the latest technology—it is integral to keeping our students connected to and engaged in today’s society,” said Rockefeller. “This funding is essential to West Virginia schools and libraries so they can have the latest tools to improve teaching and learning. Access to technology creates new learning opportunities for our children and advantages for West Virginians to remain competitive in the job market.”
Counties benefiting from rounds 11 and 12 of E-Rate funding are: Cabell, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan and Ohio.
According to a news release from the senator’s office, West Virginia has received more than $131 million in E-Rate awards since Senator Rockefeller created the program by an amendment to the 1996 Telecommunications Act – and more than $25.5 million just this year.
The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as E-Rate, is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the FCC, and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access.
The Schools and Libraries Program supports basic telecommunications and connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under two priorities: the first priority focuses on telecommunications services and Internet access; the second priority deals with the basic maintenance of internal connections.