ALBANY COUNTY — Capital Region schools and libraries are getting $8,907,780 in funding from the American Rescue Plan’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, according to an announcement from Congressman Paul D. Tonko’s office.

Funds to local school districts include:

— $11,217 for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District;

— $280,588.80 for the Bethlehem Central School District;

— $144,173.84 for the Guilderland Central School District; and

— $160,000 for the Voorheesville Central School District.

The program, established under the Federal Communications Commission, helps students connect to the internet at home by providing broadband access, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment necessary to get their homework done.

The funding is included as part of the $7.1 billion being administered across the nation to schools and libraries to improve access to resources and education.

“With educational tools, homework, and opportunities increasingly online, students without reliable home internet access are often left without the tools to succeed,” Tonko said in a statement, making the announcement. A Democrat, Tonko is running in November for an eighth two-year term.

“This truth was made poignantly clear by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why I fought hard to secure funding in our American Rescue Plan to expand broadband access to our unserved and underserved communities,” Tonko went on. “The Emergency Connectivity Fund makes strong investments on our children’s futures by helping them get the equipment and internet access they need to stay connected and get their work done.”

— Melissa Hale-Spencer