Lawrence companies are optimistic about their hiring plans heading into the spring, according to a new survey from Manpower Inc.

Twenty percent of Lawrence companies surveyed said they intended to add to their payrolls in April, May and June, while 7 percent said they anticipated making cuts.

The net increase of 13 percent topped the Kansas average of 7 percent for April, May and June. The national average calls for an net increase of 11 percent.

“It’s pretty typical of the second quarter, in terms of seasonal employment,” said Nancy Slabaugh, Manpower’s Lawrence district manager. “The folks that have been laid off during the winter will be returning to those positions in the spring  construction, landscaping, any of the positions that involve working outside in the elements.”

Manpower’s quarterly Employment Outlook Survey, which checks in with nearly 16,000 employers nationwide, is a highly regarded indicator of economic growth.

In Lawrence, Manpower said, new job opportunities are expected in construction, wholesale/retail trade and manufacturing of nondurable goods. Educators and service firms are expected to make cuts.

Three months ago, 3 percent of Lawrence employers said they expected to add employees, while 7 percent said they anticipated making cuts. Heading into the second quarter of 2001, 17 percent of companies said they intended to add employees while none said they expected job cuts.

Jeffrey Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower, said the latest survey’s results were not enough “to clearly indicate that a recovery in job formation is imminent.”