Congresswoman comes to Ellensburg to highlight connectivity program, keep it alive

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier came to Ellensburg’s Morgan Middle School Friday to highlight the impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program and emphasize the importance of funding and extending the program after it runs out this year.

Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, the program has helped expand access to high-speed internet by providing eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month and a one-time discount on necessary equipment like laptops, desktop computers and tablets, according to Schrier’s communications team.

Funding for the program is set to run out in April, taking away a crucial resource for millions of Americans, including 20,000 residents in the eighth district, which includes much of King, Pierce, Kittitas, Chelan and Snohomish counties, as well as a small portion of Douglas County.

In Kittitas County alone, there are 2,400 households enrolled in the program who receive $864,000 in benefits annually.

Schrier is a cosponsor of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, which would provide $7 billion in funding for the program. She represents Washington’s 8th Congressional District.

“Access to dependable, high-speed internet is an essential resource in today’s world. Reliable broadband is key for everything from education to business, telehealth to precision agriculture,” Schrier said.

“The ACP has helped to reduce the cost of high-speed internet for thousands in our district. Investments like this help narrow the digital divide that we see in our district and throughout the country, and that’s why Congress must act to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.”