Southern Indiana Business September/ October 2022 | Page 46

what we do for the community , helping teaching empathy to children and adolescents . We do offer some services to adults , but mostly for kids . We get a lot of good feedback from the community , which makes our business successful .” For those who would like to learn more about Opening Gates , Inc . please visit their website , opening-gates . org , and / or fill out an online form on their contact page .
Creatives in the region also find a way to give back to the community .
Located in Sellersburg , the Weber Group has been around since 1983 , when it was co-founded by brothers Tom and Donny Weber .
Max Weber is now the chief marketing officer and a partner at Weber Group . He is proud of his father and uncle ’ s legacy and runs it according to the same family values .
“ I have four partners , and we are in the process of buying the business from my family ,” Weber said . “ The company was founded on April 1 , 1983 . We expanded in the ‘ 90s into nontraditional commercial construction work .”
The company got its start in the theme park industry as the design build arm of Kentucky Kingdom . Shortly after the sale of the park , they began doing construction projects for Six
Orange Clover is located in Jeffersonville .
PHOTO : JEN SELINSKY
Flags , mostly for those locations in the Northeast and Midwest .
“ From our Six Flags days , we have expanded to commercial and traditional jobs , including housing developments and apartment units with affordable , market rate and senior housing . We have a diverse background in construction ,” he said .
It is that varied background which attracts many different customers , and their clientele continues to expand . Weber is pleased with the results .
“ Now , we ’ re licensed in twenty-six states ,” he said . “ It ’ s great to know we have such a vast trail of clientele .”
When it comes to helping in Southern Indiana , Weber Group has many means .
“ We like to work with local businesses and donate items to the local community whenever we can ,” Weber said . “ During the height of the pandemic , we had accrued a large amount of hand sanitizer , and one of our employees suggested we donate it to the Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims .”
They also are responsible for building many low-income and easily affordable apartments and housing units within the area .
For those who would like to learn more about the Weber Group , please
Kelly ( left ) and Shara Wisenauer ( right ) with a horse named Fox at Opening Gates .
PHOTO : JEN SELINSKY
visit their website : webergroupinc . com .
Schmitt Furniture is a family-owned business in New Albany which has been in operation since 1936 . Current owner , Louis Schmitt , attracts business from both sides of the river .
Though many members of the family are involved in the business , Louis emphasizes the importance of their business family , who is just as important in overall production and day-today operations .
“ What is important for us is being a good , honest partner with the community . We do our business local ,” he said . “ I try to give to local charities whenever I can . We give to local functions to try to help out . We understand the importance of our strong community .” Each year , they host a community birthday party .
“ My wife , Karen Schmitt , did a birthday bash for four years , and we had one every year since then , except for 2020 because of COVID ,” He said . “ We plan on continuing to hold one every year . Any proceeds we make from beer garden sales , we provide it to other charities that need it .”
For those who would like to learn more about Schmitt Furniture , please contact them at ( 812 ) 944-2285 , or visit their website : schmittfurniture . com .
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