Business owners bullish in Lee County

A recent survey of business executives in Lee County shows little doubt that they expect 2014 to be a better year for their businesses despite regulatory headwinds.

The results of a quarterly executive survey by Florida Gulf Coast University's Regional Economic Research Institute show business owners and executives have largely shrugged off increased government regulations, the shutdown and the health care debacle.

Just more than half of the respondents to the survey say they plan to hire more people next year and 75% say they expect conditions in their industries to improve over the next year.

But that doesn't mean business owners aren't frustrated with Washington politicians. The comment section of the survey is peppered with unsigned political commentary such as this one: “Regulatory and compliance requirements are destroying shareholder value and are increasing the cost of doing business. I have nothing favorable to say about Washington.”