NH Delegation Announces Nearly $2.2 Million in Additional Funding to New Hampshire to Help Connect Students to High-Speed Internet at Home

Delegation Announcement Marks Second Round of Funding to NH

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, announced nearly $2.2. million in additional federal funding to help New Hampshire schools provide students with devices and internet connections that they need to complete their school work from home. This announcement marks the second round of funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The Congressional Delegation previously announced that 12 New Hampshire schools/school districts were awarded $2.4 million through the first round of Emergency Connectivity Fund Program funding.

“Now more than ever, we need to ensure Granite State students have access to the reliable, high-speed broadband they need to complete their schoolwork, conduct research, connect with their teachers and peers and more,” said Senator Shaheen. “By empowering school districts throughout New Hampshire to expand broadband connections and purchase vital equipment like laptops, this federal funding marks an important step towards achieving this goal. I’ll keep fighting for the resources New Hampshire communities need to bridge the digital gap and prosper in the 21^st century economy.”

“This significant funding headed to schools across New Hampshire will go a long way to help ensure that students don’t fall behind in school because they don’t have internet to complete their homework,” Senator Hassan said. “I led efforts to secure this funding for internet-connected devices in the American Rescue Plan, and I am glad that it continues to deliver for Granite State families. I will keep pushing to help close the homework gap and get our students the tools that they need to succeed.”

“Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that our Granite State schools, students, and staff have reliable access to broadband services to keep our communities connected and safe through remote work and remote learning,” said Representative Kuster. “This critical funding – which I helped secure through the American Rescue Plan Act – will help schools across New Hampshire engage online, and I am thrilled to see these dollars supporting Granite State students. I will continue working to expand access to broadband for all of our communities.”

“I’m pleased that New Hampshire is receiving additional funds to improve broadband connectivity for our students,” said Representative Pappas. “These funds will help expand opportunities for our students and communities, and ensure our children are getting the best possible education. I’ll continue fighting to close the digital divide in our schools and bring reliable broadband access to all students and school districts across the Granite State.”

The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program provides funding to elementary and secondary schools and libraries to provide laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need.

See below for a list of schools in New Hampshire that were awarded the second round of federal funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program: