Regional Economic Research Institute

Robust Regional Research For a Strong Regional Economy

Tracking trends, interpreting impact, and forecasting the future. 

The Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) studies the regional and state economy and conducts on-demand economic research of issues pertaining to Southwest Florida. Economic Research includes areas such as economic development and forecasting, economic impact analysis, surveys, among others. If you are a decision-maker in need of relevant data and analysis, the RERI can help assist you.

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Southwest Florida Economic Outlook

AUGUST 2025

Airport Activity

Up 1 percent from June 2024 to June 2025.

Tourist Tax Revenues

Up 3 percent from May 2024 to May 2025.

Taxable Sales

Down 9 percent from May 2024 to May 2025.

Unemployment Rate

Up 0.6 percentage points from June 2024 to June 2025.

Single-family Building Permits

Up less than 1 percent from June 2024 to June 2025.

Single-family Home Sales

Up 11 percent from June 2024 to June 2025.

Single-family Home Prices

Down 4 to 8 percent June 2024 to June 2025.

Residential Active Listings

Up 28 percent from June 2024 to June 2025.

AUGUST 2025 REPORTindicators Dashboard

Recent Publications

Lee EBCS: Third Quarter 2025 Report

Lee EBCS: Third Quarter 2025 Report

August 04, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Headline numbers for the US economy suggest that the economy continues to grow at a healthy rate. For instance, the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measure of domestic economic activity in our economy, increased at a 3 percent annualized rate for the second quarter, after a first quarter decline of 0.5 percent. These numbers, though, are murky with recent developments in trade and trade policy. As we “look under the hood”, we find that final sales to private domestic purchasers rose only 1.2 percent, down from the 1.9 percent reported last quarter and its lowest reading since the fourth quarter of 2022. The labor market also continued to register low numbers from a historic perspective, measured at 4.1 percent in June. Signs of slowdown also persisted in the labor, with job openings revised downward for May and June, and quit rates declining. Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased at a 2.7 percent annualized rate in June, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) registered a 2.7 percent increase from last year in quarter 2. Hence, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which has a dual mandate of stable prices and maximizing employment, has decided to maintain rates at its current rate at 4.25 – 4.5 percent. Their next meeting is in September, when they will have two full months of data, and more certainty on tariff levels and their potential effects on the economy.

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Regional Economic Research Institute

10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Lucas Hall 314
Fort Myers, Florida 33965

(239) 590-7370