(Radio Iowa) — Just over one-quarter of Iowa employers plan to add more workers over the first three months of 2019. That’s according to a survey released today (Tuesday) by ManpowerGroup. Spokesman Dave Wheeler says over 12,500 businesses across the U.S. took part in the survey.  “In the state of Iowa, of all the employers we surveyed, 26-percent plan to hire additional employees from January through March,” Wheeler said. “That is only offset, marginally, by six-percent that plan to reduce payrolls.”

Another 67-percent of Iowa employers responded by saying they plan to maintain current staffing levels over the first quarter of next year. Manpower’s last survey, covering hiring intentions for October through December, found 21-percent of Iowa businesses expected to add workers.

“Q1 is looking to be a very strong quarter for Iowa, even up from what was considered a good fourth quarter in 2018,” Wheeler said. The Manpower survey shows, nationwide, 23-percent of U.S. businesses expect to add employees between the months of January and March. Another five-percent anticipate a decline in their payrolls.