Lawrence employers are more optimistic about their hiring plans than they were three months ago.

According to the quarterly Employment Outlook Survey, 27 percent of Lawrence companies planned to increase their staffing levels during the months of July, August and September. None of the firms planned to reduce work force levels, while the remaining 73 percent anticipated no change in employee totals.

The results of the survey, conducted by Manpower Inc. and released on Monday, represent an improvement from the last survey taken in February, when 7 percent of the companies expected to cut jobs and only 20 percent expected to hire. But the results didn’t reach the anticipated hiring level of a year ago, when 30 percent of the companies expected to increase work force levels, while 7 percent anticipated cutbacks.

Nancy Slabaugh, district manager for Manpower, said the new findings were positive news for the Lawrence economy but don’t necessarily signal an end to the area’s economic slowdown.

“I wouldn’t say that we have begun a definite recovery, but this is a solid sign that we’re seeing a bit of improvement,” Slabaugh said. “But I still think a recovery is probably going to be a bit slow in coming.”

Slabaugh said she thinks Lawrence businesses are still waiting for more positive economic news on the national level before they start significant hiring plans.

The survey predicts the largest job gains in Lawrence will come in the manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, financial, and public administration sectors.

Compared to other cities in the state, Lawrence’s hiring outlook is average. Topeka businesses are the most optimistic, with 40 percent anticipating an increase in employment. Salina and Wichita had the largest percentage of businesses, 13 percent, planning to cut work force levels.

Statewide, the average was 29 percent of firms planned on increasing work force levels, 7 percent anticipated cutbacks, 62 percent predicted no change, and 2 percent were uncertain of their hiring plans.

Nationally, the average was 27 percent of the firms intend on increasing staff, 8 percent anticipated reducing personnel and 59 percent predicted no change. The remaining 6 percent were uncertain about their plans.