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.

How Can We Help You?

Learn more about RERI research, services, and resources.

Research

Fee-Based Services

Speaker Services

Community Resources

The newsletter includes the latest copy of Regional Economic Indicators, along with other reports and news items.

Support the RERI

Generous donations support the RERI day-to-day operations, especially in funding our students.

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Southwest Florida Economic Outlook

APRIL 2025

Airport Activity

Up 5 percent from December 2023 to December 2024.

Tourist Tax Revenues

Down 1 percent from January 2024 to January 2025.

Taxable Sales

Down 6 percent from December 2023 to December 2024.

Unemployment Rate

Up 0.8 percentage points from February 2024 to February 2025.

Single-family Building Permits

Down 16 percent from February 2024 to February 2025.

Single-family Home Sales

Down 8 percent from February 2024 to February 2025.

Single-family Home Prices

Down 1 and 11 percent Lee and Charlotte, up 4 percent in Collier from February 2024 to February 2025.

Residential Active Listings

Up 41 percent from February 2024 to February 2025.

APRIL 2025 REPORT indicators Dashboard

Recent Publications

Regional Economic Indicators: April 2025 Report

April 07, 2025 / RERI Research Team

The RERI has published Regional Economic Indicators for April 2025. The monthly publication represents a collection and analysis of economic indicators including airport passenger activity, taxable sales, tourist tax revenues, labor force, employment, real estate, and consumer sentiment for the Southwest Florida workforce region.

Issue Brief: Southwest Florida Migration Demographics

April 03, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Southwest Florida has long been a desirable place to live due to its warm climate, coastal lifestyle, and economic opportunities. The region has experienced recent population shifts, driven by both retirees seeking a comfortable place to settle and working-age individuals moving away in search of employment and affordable living. We can observe notable differences in the demographics of those moving into the region, compared to those moving out of the region. These differences can be categorized by movement of residents from various states, age groups, income levels, residential status, and educational backgrounds. These migration trends are relevant because of their implications on our local economy, labor force, and housing demand.

Industry Diversification Project: First Quarter 2025 Report

March 26, 2025 / RERI Research Team / Tag: Industry Diversification Project

The RERI has published the Industry Diversification Report for the first quarter of 2025. The goal of the IDI is to measure industry diversification and, by extension, that of the workforce, in each of Florida’s 24 workforce regions, the state of Florida, and the remaining 49 states. The index measure is computed quarterly, soon after the release of workforce data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. It spans from 0 to 10, with 0 signifying no diversification (or an economy characterized by a single industry), and 10 signifying perfect diversification (no concentration).

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About Us

Learn more about the Regional Economic Research Institute, including its vision and mission.

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Staff

Meet the staff of the Regional Economic Research Institute.

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Advisory Council

Learn more about the RERI Advisory Council.

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About Us

The Regional Economic Research Institute was established in 2005 to serve as the economic development unit of the Lutgert College of Business Dean’s Office. The RERI studies, analyzes and reports on the regional economy encompassing Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Institute finances its day-to-day operations, including paying its students, through contracting for research projects and studies, and donations.

In its many regular and occasional publications, and custom economic research, the RERI focuses on areas such as economic development and forecasting, economic impact analysis, secondary data analysis and surveys. The RERI often partner with different economic development organizations and chambers of commerce in our region, and works closely with the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development and Finance, the Small Business Development Center, the Southwest Florida Leadership Institute, all of which are housed in the Lutgert College of Business at FGCU, as well as the Institute for Entrepreneurship.

Vision

Robust regional research for a strong Southwest Florida economy.

Mission

To create knowledge on social and economic topics for Southwest Florida business and community leaders while providing FGCU students with opportunities to gain valuable research and communication skills.

Name	TITLE	ORGANIZATION
Tessa LeSage	Chief Impact Officer	FutureMakers Coalition
Margaret Wuerstle	Executive Director	Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council
Dorian Zwierewicz	Regional Director	FGCU Small Business Development Center

Questions/Comments?

Regional Economic Research Institute

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

(239) 590-7370

reri@fgcu.edu