New business survey launched

FORT MYERS — Florida Gulf Coast University and the Horizon Council, an economic development group in Fort Myers, will publish a quarterly business-climate survey of executives in Lee County.

The survey provides data for an index of current and future economic growth. An index value of 50 indicates economic activity will remain the same and a value of 75 indicates that executives expect moderate growth. The first-quarter index was 66.

Although the survey is now limited to Lee County, officials with the university's Center for Leadership and Innovation say they plan to expand it to neighboring counties to reflect regional economic trends. In addition, they plan to break down the results by industry type.

The full results of the first survey are available at the center's website.