Tag Archive for ted ensminger

Letter to the Editor: MadisonYES – The Journey (Why it’s your turn)

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor One comment

This morning as I was preparing to head to the MadisonYES office, I found myself thinking about the roots of the MadisonYES effort and how far we have come. I realized that unless you were involved in the effort, you could have no idea of the work that has gone into this effort, nor could you really understand our motivation.
MadisonYES started to become a reality in early January of this year, 219 days ago. During this period, dozens of Madison County citizens have donated literally thousands of hours to get us to this point in time. Today, we are just one week away from Election Day. Our efforts are beginning to bear fruit.
The volunteers of MadisonYES were also tasked with raising many thousands of dollars. Through corporate donations, receptions, cookouts, golf tournaments and individual donors, we have raised the necessary funding to run an above-average campaign. Additionally, an amazing amount of in-kind donations have been received.
All of this work and money was expended in an attempt to raise Madison County up.
You see, virtually everyone involved in this campaign has a vision for Madison County that we believe is obtainable. Expanding the sale of alcohol is not a silver bullet to end all woes, we know that. It is however, the elimination of yet another impediment to our potential growth.
We have heard people say that Madison County will never be able to be home to a chain restaurant like Applebee’s or Olive Garden for various reasons. Well, simply put, we don’t believe that. Right now, over 22,000 vehicles pass through Madison County daily on Interstate 10. That number will continue to increase. You can take that to the bank. Our Highway 53 exit off of Interstate 10 is already a huge business area for our county. All of our four exits have growth potential, especially the Highway 14 interchange, the one that is closest to the city of Madison.
Several people have also stated that the jobs created by this initiative will be minimum wage jobs, insinuating that those types of jobs are not important. Really? In a county that has documented unemployment at almost 11%, are there really any bad jobs? How do we expect our young people to get experience, if we do not provide for them entry level employment?
I know for a fact that three of our existing restaurants have plans for expansion when this vote passes. That equates to construction jobs and the addition of several more hospitality jobs.
We all share a love for Madison County. All we ask is that our business community be given a fighting chance.
So, with all this being said, the foundation for change has been laid. Now it’s your turn to act. Please make every effort to vote on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. Vote YES! Vote “FOR” the sale of alcohol over 6.243% and vote “FOR” the sale of alcohol by package and by the drink. Thank you.

Ted C. Ensminger
MadisonYES!

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Ensminger Announces Resignation at County Commission Meeting

January 26, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off
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By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Jan. 28, is Ted Ensminger’s last day working for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Tourism where he has been Executive Director for almost three years. He announced his resignation a the last Madison County Commission meeting on Jan. 19. During his tenure at the Chamber, he worked with Chamber President Jessica Webb, Vice President Ina Thompson, and the 15-member board of directors to promote tourism in Madison County, and work with small businesses located here.
In looking back on his tenure with the Chamber, Ensminger said the number one priority was to improve communication between the Chamber and the community – businesses as well as individuals. With a donated flat screen TV as the prize, the chamber held a contest, entering everyone who submitted his or her email address for a drawing. In short order, they had a list of 1400 emails for daily updates about what is going on in and around Madison, “most of it free, by the way.”
In 2010, the Chamber realized its plan to produce two major tourism events a year for Madison. It brought back “Down Home Days” in April to showcase Madison County food, arts, crafts, and entertainment, and moved the more patriotic “Four Freedoms Festival” and parade to the second weekend in November, close to Veteran’s Day.
Also, at the last “Down Home Days” festival, where attendance was up by almost a third, the rodeo came to town. It will be back again for a second year, at the 2011 “Down Home Days.” Other events include the upcoming 11th annual “4th of July God and Country Celebration” at Lake Francis, with something new and fresh added this year. The circus, which came to town last October, will also be back next year, and the carnival will return with its midway rides in Lanier Field for the Fall Festival, the second or third weekend in November. Last but not least, the first weekend in December will be the time to once again “Light Up Madison.”
“Now that these things have some direction, they’ll keep growing and keep benefiting the citizens of Madison,” said Ensminger. “The event market is a good way to get the word out to the region to come visit historical Madison County.” In addition to events, the Chamber now has two billboards up, as well as kiosks filled with brochures at 11 businesses along I-10. “We probably distribute 700 to 1000 brochures a week.”
The other part of the Chamber’s purpose is small business development. Ensminger wanted to create a Small Business Development Office in the Chamber, with help from FAMU in Tallahassee. That hasn’t been done yet, and it’s one of the things he regrets that he will not be a part of. The office will be created, he says, but whoever comes after him will be the one to pick up the reins and go forward with it.
In announcing his retirement at the Madison County Commissioner’s meeting last Wednesday, he also said, “I know it seems like I’m jumping out of the boat in mid-stream, but this new opportunity came out of the blue.”
As of Feb. 1, he will be employed by Honey Lake Plantation, Resort and Spa as Director of Sales.
Cindy Vees will be Ensminger’

s interim replacement at the Chamber.

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