The latest survey by the employment firm Manpower Incorporated shows 16 percent of central Ohio companies plan to hire more workers in the fourth quarter, while 3 percent plan to cut jobs.
The 13-point spread is up three points from the same period in 2017 but down 10 points from the third-quarter. The state along with the cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Youngstown posted stronger survey results than Columbus. Manpower says demand for workers in the region remains strong.