Florida Economic Growth: What Site Selectors Should Know


October 12th, 2026

Florida Economic Growth Marina Infographic

Florida Economic Growth: What Site Selectors Should Know

Florida entered the second half of 2026 with several economic indicators moving ahead of national benchmarks. For companies evaluating a Florida location, those numbers provide useful context. However, statewide growth is only the beginning of a site-selection decision.

The more important question is what that growth means when a company begins evaluating individual markets.

For businesses considering Southwest Florida, Charlotte County offers available properties, workforce resources, transportation access and direct project assistance. Together, those factors help turn statewide economic momentum into a more focused location evaluation.

Florida Economic Growth Outpaced the Nation in Q2

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026.

Florida performed above that national rate. Florida real GDP increased 3.0% at an annual rate during the quarter.

Florida personal income also increased 5.7% at an annual rate, compared with 4.7% nationally.

These figures provide useful context about the broader environment in which businesses operate. GDP measures economic production, while personal income provides another view of economic activity through earnings, property income and transfer receipts.

Still, no single economic statistic determines the right business location.

Instead, statewide data helps establish the larger market picture before a company evaluates local factors such as workforce, real estate, infrastructure and project support.

Consumer Spending Adds Another Florida Growth Signal

Florida also led the nation in personal consumption expenditure growth in 2025.

BEA reported that current-dollar consumer spending increased 7.0% in Florida, compared with 5.3% nationally. Florida recorded the highest percentage increase among all states.

Health care and housing and utilities were the largest contributors to Florida’s increase.

Consumer spending does not carry the same weight for every business. For example, a manufacturer, aviation company or logistics operation may place much greater emphasis on workforce, property, transportation or supply-chain requirements.

Even so, consumer spending provides another indicator of the scale and activity of Florida’s broader economy.

Therefore, the next question is not simply whether Florida is growing.

It is:

Which Florida market best fits the company’s specific project requirements?

What Site Selectors Need Beyond Statewide Growth

A company rarely chooses a location because of one economic statistic.

Instead, corporate decision-makers and site selectors compare multiple factors that affect operations, workforce and long-term growth.

Those questions may include:

  • Is there a site or building that fits the operation?
  • What infrastructure serves the property?
  • Can the company recruit and train the workforce it needs?
  • Which education and training partners support the talent pipeline?
  • What market information is available for due diligence?
  • Can the project team quickly reach the right local contacts?

That is where a Charlotte County evaluation becomes more specific.

Available Sites and Buildings

For many projects, site selection begins with real estate.

Charlotte County offers industrial land, warehouse and flex space, move-in-ready buildings and development opportunities for businesses evaluating a Southwest Florida location.

However, the property listing is only the starting point.

A company may also need to evaluate infrastructure, utilities, workforce access, surrounding development and other project-specific conditions.

Because of that, we encourage companies to evaluate properties as part of the larger project rather than treating the real estate search as a standalone exercise.

Charlotte County Economic Development can help connect companies with available-property information and the appropriate contacts for additional project due diligence.

Workforce Is Part of the Location Decision

Workforce remains another major part of site selection.

Charlotte County’s Careers on the Coast platform connects employers and talent with career opportunities, training and upskilling resources, internships, apprenticeships and education pathways.

For employers and site selectors, those resources provide a starting point for understanding both current workforce support and the longer-term talent pipeline.

Career pathways connected to aviation, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades and other industries also help companies understand how local education and training resources connect with business needs.

As a result, businesses can evaluate more than today’s hiring environment. They can also consider how the community is developing future talent.

Transportation and Business Access

Charlotte County’s location along Interstate 75 provides access to markets throughout Florida and the Southeast.

Punta Gorda Airport provides commercial service and general aviation access.

However, transportation requirements vary by project.

Some companies prioritize highway access. Others place greater value on executive travel, workforce mobility, proximity to customers or access to suppliers.

Therefore, companies should evaluate transportation based on the actual requirements of the operation rather than a generic checklist.

From Market Research to Project Conversation

Economic data becomes most valuable when a company can connect it to a specific project.

Charlotte County Economic Development’s Business Project Assistance process gives companies one starting point for location, relocation and expansion questions.

Instead of trying to determine which local office, agency or organization to contact first, companies can start with the project itself.

Depending on the need, our team can help connect companies with information and contacts related to:

  • sites and buildings;
  • infrastructure and utilities;
  • workforce and talent;
  • planning and permitting navigation;
  • market and project information; and
  • local, regional and state business resources.

Companies working on sensitive location decisions may also mark a project confidential in the assistance form so our team knows that at the outset.

What We Are Watching Next

Economic conditions continue to change, so site-selection intelligence should change with them.

BEA is scheduled to release its advance estimate of third-quarter 2026 U.S. GDP on Oct. 29, 2026.

Then, on Dec. 2, 2026, BEA is scheduled to release 2025 GDP and personal income by county.

That county-level release will allow us to move beyond statewide context and examine Charlotte County’s economic performance more directly.

We will continue using current economic and market data through Site Selector Intelligence to help businesses evaluate Charlotte County with timely information rather than static marketing claims.

The Bottom Line for Florida Site Selection

Florida’s latest economic data points to continued momentum.

During the second quarter of 2026, Florida’s real GDP increased faster than the national rate. Personal income also grew faster than the national benchmark. Meanwhile, Florida recorded the highest state-level consumer spending growth in 2025.

However, statewide performance does not answer the entire site-selection question.

Companies still need to evaluate the location itself.

That means examining property, workforce, infrastructure, access and the ability to get accurate project information quickly.

For companies considering Southwest Florida, Charlotte County offers a market worth evaluating.

Evaluating a Location, Relocation or Expansion?

Start with Charlotte County Economic Development’s Business Project Assistance process.

Tell us what you are evaluating, what your operation needs and where you are in the decision process. We can help connect your project with relevant property information, workforce resources, local data and project contacts.

Business Project Assistance:
https://cleared4takeoff.com/project-assistance/

Available Properties:
https://cleared4takeoff.com/landing-page/available-properties/

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP (Third Estimate), Industries, Corporate Profits, State GDP, and State Personal Income, 2nd Quarter 2026; State PCE, 2025, released Sept. 30, 2026:
https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/gdp-third-estimate-industries-corporate-profits-state-gdp-and-state-personal-income-2nd/

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, State Spotlight: Consumer Spending Increased in All States in 2025, published Oct. 7, 2026:
https://www.bea.gov/news/blog/2026-10-07/state-spotlight-consumer-spending-increased-all-states-2025

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2026 Release Schedule:
https://www.bea.gov/news/schedule

Data note: Quarterly GDP and personal-income percentage changes are seasonally adjusted annual rates. State consumer-spending figures are current-dollar annual data and are not adjusted for inflation. Statewide figures should not be interpreted as Charlotte County-specific growth rates.

AI use disclosure: Artificial intelligence tools were used to assist with drafting and editing this content. The information and sources were reviewed before publication.