Nearly one-third of the Iowa employers questioned in a new survey say they plan to increase their workforce in the coming three months. Mike Lynch is with Manpower, which conducts the Employment Outlook Survey. He says, on average, 31 percent of the Iowa businesses expect to add workers between April and June.

Lynch says, nationwide, about 26 percent of the more than 14,000 employers questioned, plan to boost their workforce. "So Iowa is looking a little bit more promising overall," Lynch said. Eleven of Iowa’s largest cities are listed in Manpower’s report previewing the second quarter.

"Really, other than a couple of areas, things seem to be relatively positive," Lynch said. "Burlington looks very solid. Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, the Quad Cities and Sioux City all look pretty solid. Really, the only areas that are not looking quite as promising are Waterloo, Marshalltown and Ottumwa." Waterloo reported the only anticipated job loss for the second quarter.

Lynch says in Waterloo, 13 percent of the businesses questioned plan to increase staff, while 17 percent plan on decreasing. Seventy percent (70%) plan no change in hiring. Lynch says several areas of Iowa’s economy are looking to add jobs.

"The construction industry looks as though it may be picking up some, as do those companies in the non-durable goods manufacturing sector. Finance, insurance and real estate actually expressed some gains – as did public administration," Lynch said. Statewide, 62 percent of the businesses questioned do not expect to change their employment levels in the second quarter, while 6 percent plan to decrease their workforce.