State, Jack Daniels and Motorola unveil new public‑safety radio tower in Moore County

Moore County, Tenn. — State and local officials, together with Jack Daniels and Motorola, on Wednesday celebrated activation of a Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TAC) radio tower in Lynchburg that officials said will expand radio coverage and let local first responders communicate directly with state agencies and air medical services.

"When seconds matter, having a reliable communication system will save lives," said Les, Deputy Commissioner and Chief (speaking as deputy commissioner), summarizing the event’s central message about public-safety benefits. The network was described repeatedly at the ceremony as a "lifeline" for sheriffs, EMS and hospitals.

The ceremony brought together state officials who credited recent legislative funding and an agreement with the vendor to accelerate construction and hold prices. Commissioner Jeff Long, of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, said the remaining statewide buildout had been estimated at between about $500 million and $750 million and that action by Governor Bill Lee and the legislature enabled the state to complete the network.

Local leaders said the new tower, sited in partnership with Jack Daniels, removes previous coverage gaps created by Moore County’s rugged terrain. "We were on a flip phone with our radio systems. We moved now to an iPhone," said Jason Deal, a local public‑safety official, using an analogy to describe the jump in capability. Deal also thanked the state, Motorola and county leaders for helping Moore County join the system without per‑radio fees that had previously applied.

Melvin Keebler, general manager of Jack Daniels, said the company agreed to host equipment and buy radios as part of a community partnership. "Every penny is well spent," Keebler said, adding that Jack Daniels supports the project because it strengthens local emergency response capabilities.

Officials described how TAC links local units to state agencies — including the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — and enables longer‑range communications with receiving hospitals and air medical services such as Vanderbilt LifeFlight. Speakers said technicians and backup generators kept the network running through a recent ice storm and that crews worked with the National Guard and state agencies to restore access and power where needed.

Jeff Long framed the project as the culmination of a long effort that began in 2008 and acknowledged a procurement accommodation from Motorola that shortened the buildout and locked in price. "Motorola agreed to a three‑ to four‑year buildout at today’s price," Long said, a change officials said made statewide completion feasible and less costly for small counties.

State officials said TAC already supports more than 73,000 users and will ultimately include roughly 320 towers across Tennessee, enabling deputies, EMS and other responders to maintain communications across county lines. The state also pledged continued training and maintenance support so local technicians can operate and interoperate on the network.

The ceremony closed with expressions of gratitude to local leaders, the county 911 board and Motorola staff. Officials said the system’s rollout will continue and emphasized that next steps include training for local radio technicians and ongoing coordination between the state and counties.