Lee business climate index dips

FORT MYERS — A survey of business executives in Fort Myers shows their positive outlook despite a small drop in the business-climate index in August.

In a survey conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University in August, 63% of business executives say they expect the economy to improve over the next year. A majority of executives (54%) say they plan to hire over the next year, while just 2% expect to reduce staff.

The overall business climate index calculated by the survey showed a slight dip to 69 in August from 71 in April. The index is computed by using two questions concerning the current and future economic conditions and a third question concerning the expected industry economic conditions. The index is an average of the responses with substantially better equal to 100, moderately better equal to 75, same equal to 50, moderately worse equal to 25 and substantially worse equal to 0.

Other results of the survey found:

• 69% of executives expect economic conditions for their industry to improve over the next year;

• 59% of companies expect to increase investment next year and only 3% expect to reduce their investment levels;

• The top three types of training most useful to existing employees were problem solving, verbal communication skills and written communication skills.