Data trends predict Southwest Florida’s population, job growth

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s fourpart 2023 Speaker Series concluded with an indepth examination of data predicting Southwest Florida’s future population and job growth.

The session, titled “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida,” explored two decades of population data. From 2000 to 2010, the fivecounty region grew 30%. From 2010 to 2020, the region’s growth was 20%.

“In economics, a lot is based on historical data – where things are now and where they are going,” said featured speaker Aysegul Timur, then vice president and vice provost for strategy and program innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The region’s three largest age groups are 65 to 74 years old, 55 to 64 years old and 75 to 84 years old, respectively, across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

“It’s important to recognize that our population is aging, so we can start preparing for that now,” said Timur, who recently was selected to serve as FGCU’s next president. “Right now, the workforce we will need to support our population is less than where it needs to be.”

FGCU, along with other local universities, colleges, technical centers and high schools, are implementing academic and training programs to prepare graduates for the jobs of tomorrow. Given the region’s aging population, that means

Martin to step in as interim lead of Collaboratory

Dr. Michael V. Martin, outgoing president of Florida Gulf Coast University, will step in as interim president and CEO of Collaboratory on July 1.

Martin served as the institution’s fourth president since July 1, 2017.

Before joining FGCU, Martin served as Chancellor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at Colorado State University. Prior to this, he was Chancellor of Louisiana State University; President of New Mexico State University; Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at University of Florida; Vice President for Agricultural Policy at University of Minnesota; and served 15 years on the faculty, including a term as Faculty Senate president, at Oregon State University.

A native of Crosby, Minnesota, Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics and a master’s degree in economics at Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University). He received his Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Minnesota in 1977. His areas of specialization are prices, international trade, public policy, transportation and business logistics.

“Dr. Martin’s involvement in local, state and national boards and organizations spans decades of service,” said

Gail Markham, vice chairman of Collaboratory Board of Trustees. “We are incredibly fortunate that he has decided to stay active in local boards and vital issues. We are looking forward to him guiding the Collaboratory team with his experience and leadership while we secure our next CEO.”

“I hope to assist the great crew at the Collaboratory to continue their important work during this period of transition,” said Martin.

In late March, current CEO Sarah Owen announced her plans to step down nearly 12 years after she joined Collaboratory in 2011 when she was recruited to create a community foundation of the future. Under her lead ership, Collaboratory’s assets have grown by $130 million, the organization has shifted from transactional to transformational giving, creating a new identity committed to coordinating the solving of all the region’s social problems on a deadline. more jobs in health care, as well as construction jobs to build senior communities and medical facilities. Additional retirees and seniors moving here, along with the aging of the region’s current population, also means more jobs in hospitality, including restaurants, retail and entertainment.

Martin will work with the Collaboratory Board over the next few months as they continue to search for the organization’s eventual new leadership.

Overall, the proportion of adults ages 65 and above is predicted to continue growing:2020: 32%; 2030: 36%; 2040: 38%; and 2050: 40%

When considering births minus deaths, Timur said Southwest Florida had a net decline of 8,826 people from 2020 to 2021.

However, migration to the region – people moving here vs. people moving away – amounted to a one-year gain of 55,806 people. By 2050, the five-county region will be home to an estimated 2.2 million people.