Reports and Studies
This page includes links to documents developed by the Institute, which can be broadly categorized as Periodic Reports and Studies (including presentations). Our intent is to inform the larger community of the Institute's activities.
Beginning with the first quarter of 2012, RERI is issuing the Lee County Business Climate Survey Report. This quarterly report is a result of a new partnership between The Horizon Council and Florida Gulf Coast University. The Horizon Council is a public-private board established in 1991 to advise the Lee County Board of Commissioners on economic development issues.
The Report summarizes the results of the Executive Business Climate Survey. It provides a view of the local economy, based on responses from senior executives of companies from a broad range of industries across the county.
In addition to this quarterly report, RERI continues to issue a monthly report: Regional Economic Indicators, which analyzes a wide range of economic data from the 5-county region of Southwest Florida. It also includes National economic data of interest. The monthly Indicators report has been issued since early 2007.
Also, the Institute has been commissioned to do several specialized economic studies; summary reports of those studies are linked here.
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Periodic Reports:
(Earlier Reports can be found on the Archive page)
Our Quarterly Report
Lee County Business Climate Survey Report, Second Quarter 2012 (27 pages)
Our Monthly Report:
Regional Economic Indicators, April 2012. (24 pages)
Dr. Jackson's comments at the release of the report on April 28, 2012:
It is my pleasure to provide you with the April 2012 Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicator Report released by the Regional Economic Research Institute at Florida Gulf Coast University. The Southwest Florida economy continues to show gains in tourism and consumer purchases which are positive signs. Regional taxable sales rose by eight percent from January 2011 to January 2012. From February 2011 to February 2012, tourism tax collections increased by 16 percent in Lee County, 15 percent in Collier County, and by 8 percent in Charlotte County. February 2012 passenger traffic at Southwest Florida International Airport decreased by one percent from February 2011.
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates have fallen but remain high. Lee County's unemployment rate declined from 11.3 percent in March 2011 to 9.2 percent in March 2012. Collier County's unemployment rate declined from 10.7 percent in March 2011 to 8.5 percent in March 2012. Charlotte County's unemployment rate has fallen from 10.8 percent in March 2011 to 9.1 percent in March 2012.
The advance estimate for the first quarter U.S. Real GDP growth was released on April 27th and is 2.2 percent. The fourth quarter growth was 3.0 percent while the third quarter grew slower at 1.8 percent. First quarter real personal consumption expenditures increased by 2.9 percent, compared to 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Real disposable personal income increased by only 0.4 Percent in the first quarter. The advance estimates are based on incomplete source data and we can expect revisions.
The national unemployment rate dropped from 8.3 percent in February 2012 to 8.2 percent in March 2012. There is a concern that the drop in the national unemployment rate is a temporary adjustment to steep job cuts during the recession and without stronger economic growth, unemployment rates may not continue to improve. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) is 42.5 percent of all unemployed in March 2012.
The March Bureau of Labor Statistics Establishment Survey showed that national nonfarm payroll employment increased by 120,000, which was smaller than the February increase of 240,000. The national March employment increases included 31,000 in professional and business services, 37,000 in manufacturing, 37,000 in leisure and hospitality, 15,000 in financial activities, and 26,000 in health care. There was a reduction of 34,000 in retail trade.
The national consumer price index for March 2012 increased by 2.7 percent over March 2011, primarily driven by a 4.6-percent increase in energy prices and a 3.3-percent increase in food. All items, less food and energy, rose by 2.3 percent. Core inflation has increased but remains subdued and has allowed the Federal Reserve to maintain low interest rates.
Earlier issues of the Regional Economic Indicators are linked from the Archive page.
Studies and Presentations:
Benchmark Assessment for the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
February 10, 2012 (144 pages)
This study includes benchmark analysis of similar facilities (organizational structure, staffing, attendance, and other factors). As well, the study includes interviews with select local leaders and an economic impact analysis.
The Economic Community Impact - Academic Year 2009-2010
July 25, 2011 (18 pages)
This study is an economic impact analysis of the University, estimating the direct and indirect economic impact of the University on the Southwest Florida region. It is an update of earlier studies done for Academic Years 2007-2008 and 2005-2006.
Florida's New Economic Reality: The State of the State
February 11, 2010 (46 pages)
This is a presentation made by Dr. Jackson to the Florida Philanthropic Network, a statewide association of grantmakers working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education and public policy. The presentation reviewed economic trends at the National, Regional, and State levels.
Visit the Website of the Florida Philanthropic Network
External Environmental Scan
November 16, 2009 (55 pages)
This study of the environment external to FGCU was done as an input to the university's strategic planning process. It includes an economic outlook, occupation and industry trends, regional economic development and workforce studies, population and demographic trends, educational attainment levels, educational degrees granted, and a review of regional educational institutions.
Southwest Florida Regional Business Incubator Planning Study
August 27, 2009 (220 pages)
This report is a strategic planning study for a regional business incubator network for Southwest Florida. The basic purpose of this research is to identify best practices, regional issues and characteristics, and recommend a development plan for a regional business incubator system for Southwest Florida.
The Economic Community Impact - Academic Year 2007-2008
October 14, 2008 (17 pages)
This study is an economic impact analysis of the University, estimating the direct and indirect economic impact of the University on the Southwest Florida region. It is an update of an earlier study done for Academic Year 2005-2006.
Changing Economic Times (40 pages),
presented September 11, 2008 to the Real Estate Market Trends Conference in Charlotte County. The presentation included national and local economic trends as well as Federal Reserve System forecasts for 2008 - 2010.
Traded Business Clusters Study - Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties
June 9, 2008 (61 pages)
This document is an important update to an earlier study which provided available regional cluster information for the years 2001 and 2004. (The earlier study is available here; it was issued June 19, 2006 and discusses methodology in more detail.)
Data is now available for 2006 and this update provides a summary of the cluster analysis using 2006 employment, average wage, and number of establishments by cluster definition. This is a continuing regional collaboration between the University and the Economic Development Organizations in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties.
Changing Economic Times
April 8, 2008 (38 pages)
This was a presentation by Dr. Jackson at Market Pulse, an event sponsored by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors. It is a comprehensive review of economic trends, both nationally and in Southwest Florida.
An Economic Property Tax Review of Ten Selected Florida Counties,
December 12, 2007 (135 pages)
This report is the second part of a research project sponsored by the Florida Association of Realtors that focuses on ten select counties. [The report on the first part of the project is available here; it was issued on August 10, 2007.] The research is designed to provide a better understanding of the real property tax system by analyzing various property owner-groups. The tax information analyzed is for Bay, Citrus, Dade, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Leon, Okaloosa, Orange, and Palm Beach Counties. Also provided in the report are:
Review and Analysis of the new property tax constitutional amendment as it applies to the ten counties; and
Forecasts of property tax exemptions and portability for each of the counties.
Southwest Florida Executive Business Climate Survey, Fall 2007 (13 pages)
This report is based on a survey conducted by RERI for the Chamber of Southwest Florida. The survey solicited executive responses from a mix of large and small firms over a cross-section of businesses in Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties. The firms serve local, regional, national, and international markets.
The survey measured the level of optimism regarding the regional economy, with specific questions focusing on the housing market, property tax legislation, business trends, labor market, and other issues of current interest.
Chamber of SW Florida website
Florida's Property Tax Reform Legislation: An Economic Review,
August 10, 2007 (60 pages)
This is the initial report of an economic study sponsored by the Florida Association of Realtors and includes:
- A historical overview of Florida’s property values and taxes;
- A description of new property tax legislation and proposed constitutional amendment;
- A summary of economic studies and analysis;
- Simulations of taxes owed under the Super Homestead and Save Our Homes; and
- Potential issues and concerns.
Florida Association of Realtors website
The Economic Community Impact - Academic Year 2005-2006,
June 18, 2007 (17 pages)
This study is an economic impact analysis of the University to mark its tenth year of operation. It estimates the direct and indirect economic impact of the University on the Southwest Florida region and its five-county service area.
Southwest Florida Health Care Industry Study, March 2007. (219 pages)
This study:
- is regional in scope, covering thirteen Health Care sectors in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties;
- defines and analyzes the economic impact of the Health Care industry on the Region, including employment, output values, value added/produced, and labor income; and
- identifies issues and needs of the various Health Care sectors in the areas of growth, facilities, workforce, training, and any regulatory concerns.
Immokalee Master Plan Study, November 2006. (75 pages)
This is a stand-alone economic analysis study of Immokalee, Florida, conducted for the RMPK Group, an urban planning and design firm in Sarasota, Florida. It focused on population, employment, and development issues.
RMPK website
Traded Business Clusters Study - Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties
June 19, 2006. (96 pages)
This document represents an important collaboration between the University and the
Economic Development Organizations in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties.
Industry Clusters are geographic concentrations of business suppliers, producers, service
providers, and associated institutions. This research study focuses on Traded Industry Clusters
in the Southwest Florida counties of Charlotte, Collier, and Lee. Traded industry clusters compete for national and international market share and export a large part of their product or service outside the local regional economy.
Links to Economic Development Organization websites:
Charlotte | Lee | Collier
Portability Study, January 2006. (120 pages)
This is a summary report of an economic study of the proposed "Save Our Homes" portability amendment to the Florida Constitution. The study was done under contract to the Florida Association of Realtors, and included:
- A review of the literature, including major studies done on California’s Proposition 13 (and others), also related portability laws;
- Economic Analysis of a Florida portability bill, HJR 33, including a range of
changes to portability and their likely economic impact; and
- A comprehensive analysis of the impact of portability on 10 representative Florida Counties.
Florida Association of Realtors website
Burroughs Home Study, November 2005. (66 pages)
This is a summary report of an economic benchmarking study of the
Burroughs Home in Fort Myers, Florida. The primary elements of the study were:
- Economic Benchmark Analysis;
- Comparative Benchmark Analysis;
- Key Informants Interviews; and
- Community Economic Impact
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