At its monthly meeting, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) made significant strides forward in its mission to drive economic activity in Southern Indiana.

Jerry Acy, RRDA's Executive Director, is leading negotiations for the sale of approximately 23.5 acres of undeveloped land, known as Tract 12G, strategically positioned along Salem Road and within Jeffersonville, presenting an attractive opportunity for development. The potential buyer intends to construct a 150,000 square foot industrial building on the site.  A 60-day window has been set for the execution of a purchase and sale agreement, highlighting the urgency of the process.

The potential economic impact of this venture emphasizes the RRDA's commitment to fostering growth and job creation in Southern Indiana.

The Board also approved a contract for $1.3 million to Excel Excavating, Inc. to extend 1,700 linear feet of access road and drainage infrastructure near its headquarters building to serve future tenants of the River Ridge Commerce Center.  

Board Meeting Materials Now Available Online

Additionally, as part of its commitment to transparency and accessibility, the RRDA announced that materials from its board meetings are now accessible on its website at www.riverridgecc.com. 

About River Ridge Development Authority

The River Ridge Development Authority, spanning over 6,000 prime acres, has become a source of major economic development for the Louisville-Southern Indiana region. Established to mitigate the economic impact of the shuttered Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, the River Ridge Development Authority has evolved its mission to meet the tailored needs of the community. Our goal extends beyond mere replacement of lost revenue to creating a premier destination for advanced manufacturing, distribution, and industrial companies from across the nation and around the globe. 

Serving as home to more than 80 companies, RRDA contributed an estimated $2.93 billion to the region's economic output in 2023, supporting over 18,000 jobs. In addition, RRDA funded approximately $20 million in capital projects in 2023. These initiatives include vital infrastructure improvements, including $5.9 million in roadway projects, $6.2 million in utility enhancements, and $3.5 million allocated to demolition and site preparation.

Senator Mike Braun, Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Tommy Tuberville, and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are leading 31 total Republican Senators in challenging President Biden’s new Overtime Rule published by the Department of Labor.

This Overtime Rule increases the minimum salary threshold for overtime pay from the current $35,568 to 58,656 in January 2025, and then increase every three years.

Small businesses have been crushed by President Biden’s economy. Inflation has increased 20% since Biden took office as a direct result of his federal tax-and-spending binge, forcing small businesses to make hard choices like raising prices just to stay above water. President Biden’s approval rating is under 30% among small business owners, and has dropped consistently since he took office.

Biden’s Department of Labor now wants to apply the same heavy-handed government approach to wages, which have been outpaced by inflation for the past 26 months, with their new Overtime Rule.

This rule replaces a Trump rule from 2019 that set the salary threshold at $35,568. It is notable that Biden’s new proposed salary threshold ($55,068) is significantly higher than the one proposed by the Obama administration ($47,476) which was declared to be an invalid extension of executive authority in federal court. This follows President Biden’s precedent of ignoring judicial rulings, as he did when transferring of billions in student loan debt from borrowers to taxpayers. 

The Senators are challenging the rule under the Congressional Review Act, and will introduce their disapproval resolution today.

The Senators challenging Biden’s Overtime Rule are Senators Mike Braun, Bill Cassidy, Tommy Tuberville, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Whip John Thune, Senator John Barrasso, Senator Steve Daines, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator John Boozman, Senator Katie Britt, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator John Cornyn, Senator Tom Cotton, Senator Kevin Cramer, Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Bill Hagerty, Senator John Hoeven, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Senator John Kennedy, Senator James Lankford, Senator Cynthia Lummis, Senator Roger Marshall, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Markwayne Mullin, Senator Pete Ricketts, Senator Jim Risch, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Roger Wicker, and Senator Todd Young.

“When the free market sets the price of labor, opportunity and prosperity are the result. When the federal government sets the price of labor by one-size-fits-all mandates, small businesses are forced to fire employees and close shop to make ends meet. We’re leading a challenge to this new Biden rule because this White House’s out-of-touch economic policies have been an unparalleled disaster for American wages.”—Sen. Mike Braun

“Americans are already struggling to make ends meet under Bidenomics. With inflation at 40-year highs and millions dropping out of the workforce, Biden’s overtime rule pours gasoline on the fire. Businesses shouldn’t be forced to choose between laying off their workers and raising prices on families.”—Dr. Bill Cassidy

“Joe Biden’s economy is bad enough for working families and small businesses without additional meddling from D.C. bureaucrats and the Biden administration. When Joe Biden takes away these options from small businesses, the employees looking to get better jobs and better pay will suffer the most.”—Sen. Tom Cotton

“Arbitrarily raising the overtime threshold by $20,000 is reckless and yet another example of Joe Biden’s regulatory war on the Mainstreet businesses that drive our economy. I’m proud to stand with and fight for our small businesses and schools that would be crushed if Biden had his way with this rule.”—Sen. Roger Marshall 

“Here we go again with another one-size-fits-all approach that simply doesn’t make sense for small businesses, especially those in rural states like Mississippi where the cost of living is far lower.  We’ve seen blue cities and states issue unrealistic wage mandates with predictably bad outcomes for small business growth and jobs.  Now the Biden administration wants to go nationwide with these schemes.  This is another rule that needs to be stopped.” – Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

“For more than three years, the Biden administration has punished small business owners across Wyoming with its record-breaking inflation rates and anti-growth policies. My Republican colleagues and I are proud to act as the last line of defense for small businesses across the country by blocking this administration’s misguided effort to force unrealistic salary thresholds on an industry it is already crushing.”—Sen. Cynthia Lummis 

“After years of rising prices, small businesses need real relief, not more bureaucratic regulation and mandates. I strongly oppose this rule from the Biden Administration and will continue to support our Hoosier small businesses.”—Sen. Todd Young

“We continue to see the effects of the Biden Administration’s failed economic policies.  Burdensome, heavy-handed federal mandates harm small businesses; instead, we should be encouraging growth through free market policies.”—Sen. Mike Crapo

“The National Restaurant Association has serious concerns with the impact the overtime rule will have on restaurant operators, especially the significant cost increases that come with it so soon after an increase just four years ago. Input costs for operators have increased significantly since then, with a 30 percent increase in labor costs alone in the last four years. On top of that, the Department of Labor did not heed our concerns, especially as it relates to regional discrepancies and the burden of automatic increases every three years. We appreciate Sen. Braun showing his support of the industry by introducing this legislation to draw attention to problems with the DOL’s approach on this issue.” – Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President, National Restaurant Association

Read the resolution HERE. 

This challenge is endorsed by:

• Heritage Action
• International Franchise Association
• National Restaurant Association

1.      BBB received a report from a local consumer of an elaborate employment scam on Facebook that cost the consumer over $5,000.BBB warns consumers to be wary of any online job opportunity that appears too good to be true, and that requires the consumer to pay money in order to receive money.

 2.      A consumer searching online for used car parts was scammed out of $195 and never received the ordered item. BBB warns consumers to always check business profiles at bbb.org before buying. 

 3.      A consumer reported a fake family emergency call to BBB. The consumer was contacted by a scammer claiming to be his son calling from the scene of an auto accident. The consumer then spoke with an “attorney” claiming to represent his son who was also a scammer. BBB warns consumers to never send money over the phone. If you receive a call regarding a family emergency that sounds suspicious, hang up and contact the individual directly to verify.

 4.      BBB warns consumers to be on the lookout for medical bill scams. If you receive a bill, verify the claim first, look up the customer service number listed on the bill and make sure it’s registered with an official business, don’t give in to scare tactics, and guard your personal information. 

 5.      BBB warns consumers to be on the lookout for customer service imposters. Red flags include “representatives” who don’t know any details about your account, who ask for information not needed to handle your issue (such as your Social Security Number), or who say you need to pay money to resolve your issue. Never allow anyone remote access to your device, and always contact a company directly if you need to speak to their customer service department.   

 6.      BBB received a report of a Geek Squad invoice scam from a consumer. Invoice scams attempt to scare consumers into thinking they have been charged a large amount for a service or item they did not purchase; when the consumer calls the number on the fake invoice, a scammer then attempts to steal their personal or financial information. If you receive a suspicious invoice, do not call the number listed. Check your bank account or credit card statement for any unknown charges.

7.      Scam Publisher’s Clearing House phone calls are on the rise again in BBB’s service area. As a reminder, the real Publisher’s Clearing House only contacts winners by mail, not by phone or text. Any “sweepstakes” that claims you need to pay money upfront to claim your winnings is very likely a scam.  

8.      BBB warns consumers of a phishing scam that claims a process server is looking for you. The scam starts with an intimidating phone call saying a debt collector needs immediate payment or a police officer has a warrant for your arrest. Don’t engage with these phone calls and don’t give out personal or financial information. If you think there’s a chance someone has filed a lawsuit against you, check your local court’s website. 

 9.      Multiple consumers have reported online shopping scams to BBB this month, wherein the victims never receive the ordered item or any kind of refund for a missing item. BBB reminds consumers to research companies first at bbb.org before ordering online, and to always pay by credit card in case you need to dispute a charge. 

 10. As we enter summer vacation season, BBB warns consumers to beware of online hotel booking scams. Only book hotels through official websites, research any hotel or business you aren’t familiar with, and pay with a credit card. 

The past year has seen no shortage of changes in employment law policies. For instance, the latest decisions impacting the legality of employee handbook policies, severance agreements and timelines for union representation elections are sure to shake up the business world.

The Indiana Chamber is helping employers navigate these changes with the recently released 19^th edition of its popular Employment Law Handbook. Authored by attorneys at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, this is the most current, comprehensive and user-friendly handbook covering Indiana and federal employment laws. 

It's designed to assist the business community in its effort to comply with the numerous and often complex employment laws affecting Hoosier businesses. 

“Our new Employment Law Handbook provides employers direction and guidance on compliance with both federal and Indiana-specific regulations,” says Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber President and CEO. “Hundreds of human resources professionals use this convenient resource to tackle labor law challenges, answer compliance questions and keep their organizations moving forward.”

In addition to the aforementioned updates, this brand new version contains information on the National Labor Relations Board’s new regulations on joint employment, new workers’ compensation impairment amounts required for temporary total disability, permanent partial disability and maximum impairment, changes to independent contractor standards, an update on the Internal Revenue Service’s tax-sheltered annuity plan determination letter schedules, up-to-date guidance on immigration-related fines and discussions on the Supreme Court’s new affirmative action-related decisions.

The book, available at www.indianachamber.com/publications, is available for $134.25 for Indiana Chamber members ($179 for non-members) and the ePub can be purchased for $109.