Lee executives bullish on economy

FORT MYERS — A large majority of executives in Lee County say economic conditions have improved in the first quarter over the same period last year and many plan to boost hiring.

According to a survey by Florida Gulf Coast University, 85% of executives forecast the economy will continue to improve this year and 56% plan to hire more people. Just 2% of those surveyed say they plan to cut staff.

Of the companies that plan to increase employment, 14% expect to increase their workforce size by 1% to 9%; 34% expect to increase by 10% to 19%; and 32% expect to increase by 20% to 29%.