Lutgert Blogs

Southwest Florida Leadership Institute Expands Regional Impact with Major Leadership Development Partnerships

August 12, 2026 / Lutgert News / Tag: Southwest Florida Leadership Institute

The Southwest Florida Leadership Institute (SFLI) at Florida Gulf Coast University continues its rapid growth, announcing several significant organizational partnerships that reinforce its position as Southwest Florida’s premier provider of evidence-based leadership development. Over the past year, SFLI has secured a series of multi-year and multi-cohort agreements with leading healthcare organizations, luxury hospitality brands, nonprofit organizations, and private employers. Together, these partnerships represent a growing regional investment in developing leaders equipped to navigate increasingly complex workplaces. Among the Institute’s newest initiatives is a two-year leadership development agreement with Lee Health, one of Florida’s largest public health systems.

Lee EBCS: Third Quarter 2026 Report

August 03, 2026 / RERI Research Team

The national economy remained on uneven footing in the second quarter of 2026, marked by decelerating growth, a softening labor market and elevated inflation. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an overall measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the first quarter’s pace, with consumer spending accelerating even as investment growth cooled and government spending declined. The nation’s labor market softened further in the second quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up 0.1 percentage points to 4.2 percent from June 2025 to June 2026. The labor force participation rate fell to 61.5 percent in June, its lowest reading since March 2021, as workers left the labor force altogether rather than finding jobs. Inflation, as measured through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), saw its year-over-year rate decline 0.7 percentage points from May to June 2026, but remains at an elevated 3.5 percent. The CPI continues to reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions, though core inflation, which removes volatile food and energy prices, has not yet absorbed these pressures.

Regional Economic Indicators: August 2026 Report

August 03, 2026 / RERI Research Team

In the second quarter of 2026, the national economy saw slower economic growth with by a softening labor market, above-target inflation, and geopolitical headwinds keeping consumers, business owners and policymakers cautious. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an overall measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the first quarter’s pace, with consumer spending accelerating even as investment growth cooled and government spending declined. The national unemployment rate was stable, ending the quarter at 4.2 percent in June. The labor market is still in a “low-hire, low-fire” environment, and young adult workers are feeling the effects of fewer new employment opportunities. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, rose to a 3-year high of 4.2 percent in May due to an energy supply shock from conflict in the Middle East. Fortunately, the energy-driven price surge has not spilled over into the rest of the economy, with Core CPI falling to 2.6 percent in June.

Charlotte EBCS: Third Quarter 2026 Report

August 03, 2026 / RERI Research Team

The national economy remained on uneven footing in the second quarter of 2026, marked by decelerating growth, a softening labor market and elevated inflation. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an overall measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the first quarter’s pace, with consumer spending accelerating even as investment growth cooled and government spending declined. The nation’s labor market softened further in the second quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up 0.1 percentage points to 4.2 percent from June 2025 to June 2026. The labor force participation rate fell to 61.5 percent in June, its lowest reading since March 2021, as workers left the labor force altogether rather than finding jobs. Inflation, as measured through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), saw its year-over-year rate decline 0.7 percentage points from May to June 2026, but remains at an elevated 3.5 percent. The CPI continues to reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions, though core inflation, which removes volatile food and energy prices, has not yet absorbed these pressures.

Collier EBCS: Third Quarter 2026 Report

August 03, 2026 / RERI Research Team

The national economy remained on uneven footing in the second quarter of 2026, marked by decelerating growth, a softening labor market and elevated inflation. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an overall measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the first quarter’s pace, with consumer spending accelerating even as investment growth cooled and government spending declined. The nation’s labor market softened further in the second quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up 0.1 percentage points to 4.2 percent from June 2025 to June 2026. The labor force participation rate fell to 61.5 percent in June, its lowest reading since March 2021, as workers left the labor force altogether rather than finding jobs. Inflation, as measured through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), saw its year-over-year rate decline 0.7 percentage points from May to June 2026, but remains at an elevated 3.5 percent. The CPI continues to reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions, though core inflation, which removes volatile food and energy prices, has not yet absorbed these pressures.