Ohio’s Leading Indicators Report Shows Positive Trends for Manufacturing, Most Metro Areas

The latest Ohio Leading Indicators report, compiled by the Department of Job and Family Services, shows that Ohio’s average weekly manufacturing hours increased to 41.4 in August. Manufacturing production, while still well below its recent apex of late 2018, rebounded to 2016 levels.

If August’s employment rebound continues through the year, the state’s employment rate is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.82% for the next six months, according to the report. Job growth projections for Ohio’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) are as follows:

• Cleveland-Elyria MSA at 0.98%;
• Youngstown-Warren-Boardman MSA at 1.16%;
• Dayton MSA at 2.05%;
• Akron MSA at 2.10%;
• Canton-Massillon MSA at 2.61%;
• Columbus MSA at 3.51%; and
• Cincinnati MSA at 3.71%.

The Toledo MSA has a projected negative annual growth rate of -0.15%. 10/5/2020