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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. 

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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.

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WASHINGTON – Senators Mike Braun, Roger Marshall, M.D., Katie Britt, Ted Budd, and Rick Scott introduced the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act to protect small businesses from the financial burden of top-down federal regulations.

Often, when D.C. imposes regulations, it comes at a significant cost to our locally-owned businesses. In 2022 alone, complying with regulations cost American small businesses an average of $14,700 (adjusted for 2023 dollars) per employee on their payroll. The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act alleviates these costs and requires the Administration to submit an annual report to Congress outlining the impacts of regulations on small businesses.

“We need to cut burdensome regulations on small businesses in order for Main Street to thrive. I’m proud to join Sen. Marshall on this bill to prevent big government from stacking regulations on top of America’s small businesses without removing any red tape.”—Sen. Braun

"Washington D.C.'s top-down regulatory approach hurts our small businesses – the backbone of our economy – the most. Main Street merchants are constantly under attack from this Administration's onslaught of regulations and jumping through unnecessary and costly hoops to provide services to our communities. I am proud to join Rep. Beth Van Duyne in fighting for this important legislation that addresses our small businesses' concerns and stands up to the Administration's relentless attacks."—Sen. Marshall

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this common sense legislation to alleviate burdens on small businesses, who already have to contend with persistently high inflation on top of the Biden Administration’s red tape regime. From entrepreneurs just starting out to the established, family-owned shops on local Main Streets across our great state and nation, I will continue to fight tirelessly for small businesses and the families they support.”—Sen. Britt

“The SBA’s fundamental purpose is to empower America’s small businesses, not add regulatory burdens. I’m proud to join Senator Marshall’s commonsense bill to control the regulatory state and help job creators serve their customers.”—Sen. Budd

This legislation is based on the Trump Administration policy that required agencies to repeal two regulations for every new one created. This successful policy was repealed by the Biden Administration in 2021.

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The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) is positioned to have yet another successful year in 2024 with its team of talented professionals. 

At the January board meeting, Dr. Treva Hodges, Mayor of Charlestown, was unanimously voted in as the new President of the Board of Directors.  That position had been previously held by J. Mark Robinson since 2006.  Mayor Hodges has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2020. 

“It is an honor to have been chosen to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the River Ridge Development Authority.  Southern Indiana has an amazing future, and the success of the River Ridge Commerce Center is key to realizing our region’s potential.  I look forward to supporting the opportunities 2024 brings,” said Mayor Hodges.

Additionally, M. Edward Meyer was elected as Vice Chairman, and Phillip J. McCauley was voted in as Secretary/Treasurer. 

Since 2008, the professional staff at River Ridge has been led by Executive Director, Jerry Acy, CEcD, and he is setting the foundation for the future with the positioning of two new executive team members.

Marc Hildenbrand, P.E. is the organization’s Chief Director, Engineering and Operations. 
Marc worked for the RRDA for nine years before joining HWC Engineering in 2018.  His return in June of 2022 brings valuable experience overseeing commercial and industrial site development, design, and construction.  In this role, Hildenbrand manages the day-to-day oversight for the River Ridge water system, and engineering, construction, and maintenance projects.

Wendy Dant Chesser, CEcD is the Chief Director, Corporate Strategy and External Affairs, a newly created position at RRDA.  Prior to joining RRDA in late October 2023, Wendy served as the President and CEO of One Southern Indiana (1si) for nearly 11 years.  In her new role at RRDA, Wendy is responsible for developing and implementing both short- and long-term strategies for sustainability of the RRDA and continuing to build external partnerships.

Mr. Acy enthusiastically noted, “We are excited about the economic opportunities on the horizon at River Ridge, and positioning this talented duo with our existing team gives us added capacity to maximize the growth we see ahead for our businesses and communities.”

About River Ridge Development Authority

The River Ridge Development Authority manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. The Authority has invested more than $175 million to redevelop about 45 percent of the Center. River Ridge is home to more than 70 companies, such as Amazon, Bose, Collins Aerospace, Medline, Optum and PharmaCord. Onsite employment totaled more than 11,800 in 2022, and the Center produced a total of over $2.7 billion in economic output and supported an additional 6,300 regional jobs. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.