Report: Florida CEOs more optimistic than national peers

Business leaders in Florida have more confidence about hiring and capital investments in the next six months compared with their peers at the national level, according to a new report from the Florida Council of 100.

The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 200 business leaders from Florida-based businesses dedicated to improving the state’s economy and quality of life. More than 120 Florida CEOs completed a survey that was used to generate its Q3 2025 CEO Economic Outlook Index. The results were compared with the nationally recognized Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index from the third quarter, which surveyed 157 CEOs from around the country.

Both groups were asked in September about their plans for hiring, capital investment and sales over the next six months.

In Florida, 46% of those CEOs surveyed say they plan to increase employment, while only 25% of their national counterparts plan to hire. Only 9% plan to decrease employment in Florida, compared with 38% of CEOs around the country.

When it comes to making capital investments, 49% of Florida CEOs say they plan to increase spending, compared with 38% nationwide.

“Florida’s economy is on the rise, and our CEOs are building for the future — growing teams, sparking innovation, driving investment and creating new opportunities that strengthen Florida’s communities,” Florida Council of 100 President and CEO Mike Simas says in a statement.

Sales was the only area where Florida CEOs appeared less optimistic than their counterparts; 64% of Florida CEOs expect an increase in sales in the next six months, while 71% of their peers nationwide expect an upward trend. In Florida, 15% of CEOs say they expect a decrease in sales, compared with 8% of their U.S. peers.

“Confidence in Florida’s future economic growth and development is clear,” Florida Council of 100 Chair George LeMieux says in the statement. “The quarterly index signals increasing optimism among our members who are collaborating with business leaders around the world to create opportunity and welcome innovation so that Florida’s economy and workforce can thrive.”