400 Texas Libraries, Schools Receive Billions to Provide Devices, Connectivity

A range of dollar amounts will go to 400 K-12 schools and public libraries across Texas in the third round of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released $230.8 billion total in the state, and 20.42 percent is allowed for services such as off-campus Internet. The remaining 79.58 percent is to be used for equipment, including hot spots, modems, routers, laptops and tablets.

The ECF is a $7.1 billion funding stream that is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Provided to schools and libraries, the monies can be used for a variety of connectivity solutions and connected devices. The funding was made available through the FCC and followed a similar grant process to the E-rate program, according to Industry Navigator.*

Fifty-one recipients will have access to more than $1 million each for equipment and services. The five recipients with the largest total amounts (rounded) are:

• Harris County Public Library: $6 million for equipment, $10 million for services
• Klein ISD (Klein): $13.8 million for equipment
• Northside ISD (San Antonio): $10.3 million for equipment
• International Leadership of Texas (Charter): $8.3 million for equipment
• Austin ISD (Austin): $4 million equipment, $2.4 million for services

The lowest amounts (rounded) include:

• Hallsburg ISD (Waco): $3,200 for equipment
• Hull-Daisetta ISD (Daisetta): $3,000 for services
• Clyde CISD (Clyde): $2,394 for services
• Munday ISD (Munday): $1,573 for services
• Nacogdoches Public Library (Nacogdoches): $900 for equipment

Recipient jurisdictions have plans to use money from last year's allocations.

Corpus Christi Public Libraries planned to purchase Wi-Fi hot spots for use by library card holders. They partnered with local housing programs to identify residents in need of connection after receiving a $2.4 million ECF allocation.

Laredo and United school districts (both in Laredo) planned to use funding to purchase hot spots, laptops, routers and school bus Wi-Fi, according to a press release.

The Rosenberg Library in Galveston planned to use $750,000 to purchase hot spots, Chromebooks and Internet service. The library director said in October that 15 percent of the city’s residents weren’t connected to the Internet.

Here is a searchable table of where the funds went:
Andrew Adams contributed to reporting this story. He is data reporter for Government Technology, sister publication to Industry Insider — Texas.

*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, parent company of Industry Insider — Texas.