Economy

A flow of recent data from the U.S. government has made one thing strikingly clear: A surge in consumer spending is fueling strong growth, demonstrating a resilience that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls.

As regional economic recovery continues from COVID19 and Hurricane Ian, I caught up with Charlotte County Economic Development Director Dave Gammon, who recently spoke to a group of Southwest Florida commercial realtors.

China is seeking to regain what it once was until a few hundred years ago, the most powerful economic region in the world, said Daniel Franklin, the executive editor and acting U.S. editor of The Economist magazine.He spoke at the 3rd Annual Hanseatic League of Universities Conference at Florida Gulf Coast University on Tuesday afternoon. His topic: The world in 2050: Big Trends That Will Shape the Future.

Community organizers are worried the two housing bills — HB 1417 and HB 133— will harm renters.

The average price of a gallon of gas was $3.29 a gallon as of Monday, the lowest price since late January.

A group of industry leaders are asking local officials to provide work-force housing

So how is Lee County’s economy looking post-Hurricane Ian? Jerry Parrish, chief economist and director of state and local policy analysis with the Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University, recently shared his thoughts with Lee County business owners.

The 2024 presidential race was also touched on at Wednesday's news briefing by Gov. Ron DeSantis. A reporter asked about a "civil war" given former President Donald Trump saying Tuesday he would run again in 2024. DeSantis urged everyone to "chill out a little bit" about the issue.

President Joe Biden said Thursday a tentative railway labor agreement has been reached, averting a potentially devastating strike before the pivotal midterm elections.

Industries like aviation, distribution and hospitality are changing Charlotte County's business landscape.