City of Jonesboro Breaks Ground on New E-911/Real Time Intelligence Center

Revenue bond-funded project marks a transformational investment in public safety infrastructure

JONESBORO, AR – The City of Jonesboro celebrated the groundbreaking of its new E-911/Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) on Thursday, July 2, at 9:11 a.m.

The groundbreaking marks the official start of construction on the $5.9 million facility, which is being financed through the City’s revenue bond program as part of the Destination 100K initiative to invest in critical infrastructure supporting Jonesboro’s continued growth and commitment to public safety.

The City has also received significant federal funding to aid in outfitting the technology needs within the facility, including a $3.5 million grant specifically for equipment.

“This project is a significant investment in the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “Investing in state-of-the-art communications technology and a modernized operations center is necessary to ensure our first responders have the tools, space, and technology needed to protect our community today – and for generations to come.”

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The new E-911/RTIC will serve as the central hub for emergency communications, public safety technology, and coordinated response efforts. The facility will house E-911 operations alongside related public safety functions, creating a modern, centralized center that enhances communication between dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.

“This is an exciting day for all of us,” said E911 Director Ronnie Sturch. “After years of working toward this goal, it is truly inspiring to see the center coming to fruition. Our team works with great purpose and is proud to serve our community every day.”

With 122,918 total calls dispatched in 2025, including 93,099 non-emergency calls, 11,651 calls for the Jonesboro Fire Department, 3,321 Rural fire calls, and 13,550 medical calls, the call volume continues to rise as the population increases. The new E-911 facility will aid in a centralized location for public safety services within Craighead County.

“Dispatch is the first link in the public safety chain. Improvements in facilities and technology helps to improve our response times – in turn, the public gets the help it needs in an emergency sooner. A fast response is crucial to mitigate the emergency,” stated Fire Chief Martin Hamrick.

The new facility will:

• Centralize E-911 operations and related public safety services.
• Improve communication and coordination among emergency response agencies.
• Expand workspace to accommodate current staffing and future growth.
• Modernize emergency communications technology and dispatch capabilities.
• Strengthen regional emergency response through enhanced information sharing.

The project is designed to support Jonesboro and Craighead County’s public safety needs over the next 20 to 30 years by providing resilient infrastructure capable of adapting to evolving technology and increasing service demands.

The facility is expected to become fully operational by winter 2027. The long-term campus vision includes a new Police Administration building to be connected once funding is secured as the next phase on the project.

“In public safety, every second dictates an outcome. This facility represents a monumental leap forward for our department. Our field officers and first responders will have virtual backup from the moment a call is placed – armed with live data, video intelligence, and situational awareness needed to do their jobs effectively – and get home safely at the end of their shift,” stated Police Chief Rick Elliott.

The E-911/RTIC is one of several strategic capital improvement projects funded through the City’s $18.5 revenue bond initiative, reflecting Jonesboro’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that enhances quality of life, public safety, and long-term community growth.

“As Mayor, it has been priority to get this facility built, but with a limited tax rate we had to be creative. We worked with our federal delegation, City Council and finance team to secure grants, appropriations and allocated non-taxpayer dollars toward a Revenue Bond. Today, those years of focused effort have brought us to this point. In a matter of months this facility will set a new standard for public safety in Arkansas,” stated Mayor Copenhaver.

About the Project

The $5.9 million E-911/Public Safety Center will create a centralized emergency communications and public safety operations facility that serves as the technological backbone for emergency response throughout Jonesboro and Craighead County. The project includes modern dispatch operations, expanded personnel space, enhanced communications infrastructure, and technology systems designed to improve situational awareness and coordination among first responders.

Funded through the City’s $18.5 million revenue bond program, the project is part of Jonesboro’s long-term strategy to build the infrastructure necessary to support a growing community while providing exceptional public safety services.