Heinrich, Lujan announce $2 million in grants for RRPS

U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan announced Tuesday that more than $2 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will go to Rio Rancho Public Schools.

The ECF is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which supports funding of digital tools and services for eligible schools and libraries across the United States. A total of $2,198,052 will be allocated to RRPS.

“Students need fast and reliable internet to learn and succeed in school. I’m proud to welcome this funding that we secured in the American Rescue Plan to connect students and teachers at Rio Rancho Public Schools to high-speed internet,” Heinrich said. “I’ll keep fighting to make sure that all New Mexicans in every community across our state have the internet access they need to succeed.”

The ECF helps provide relief to students, staff, and libraries to help close the education gap.

“Just like pen and paper, access to a reliable internet connection is critical inside and outside the classroom,” Lujan said. “As chair of the subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, closing the digital divide is a priority of mine. Thanks to this significant investment, the Emergency Connectivity Fund will help students and teachers at Rio Rancho Public Schools reach reliable connectivity, bringing us one step closer to closing the gap.”