Fourth Quarter 2013 Lee County Business Climate Survey

Presented by:Dr. Gary Jackson

Director, Regional Economic Research InstituteLutgert College of Business

Florida Gulf Coast UniversityNovember 22, 2013

An Horizon Council/FGCU Partnership

www.fortmyersregionalpartnership.com

51%Third Quarter 12% 33% 3% 1%

Questions?

Lee County Business Climate Index of 71 for 4th quarter 2013 indicating expected moderate growth

77 percent of executives expect the economy to improve over the next year

51 percent of firms expect to increase employment next year and four percent expect to reduce employment

52 percent of companies expect to increase investment next year and only two percent expect to reduce investment levels

Business Climate SurveyEconomic Conditions Summary

Business Climate SurveyHealth and Wellness Summary

39 percent of executives surveyed indicated reduced productivity from health issues lowered profitability over the past 12 months.

23 percent sited smoking as having a negative impact on the profitability.

40 percent of executives surveyed cited their primary reason for not offering a wellness program was lack of personnel to develop and/or oversee such a program.

58 percent of executives stated the most important goal of a wellness program is to improve the health of their employees.

64%ThirdQuarter 9% 24% 3% 0%

56%Third Quarter 11% 26% 7% 0%

What are Your Hiring Plans for Next Year?

M.I.50%

Third Quarter

S. I. 4%

No Ch. 45%

M. R.2%

S. R. 0%

What are Your Investment Plans for Next Year?

M.I.49%

Third Quarter

S. I. 10%

No Ch. 39%

M. R.1%

S. R. 2%