COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has released a series of “WARN” (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices for April 2026, revealing that more than a dozen companies across the state are planning significant layoffs or full closures.
In total, 1,811 workers are expected to be impacted as businesses cite reasons ranging from financial difficulties and mergers to strategic shifts in operations.
Local Impact: Management Shakeup at Pickaway Manor
Closer to home, Circleville is among the affected areas. Optalis Professional Services LLC, the current management entity for Pickaway Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center on Clark Drive, officially filed a WARN notice on April 29, 2026.
According to the filing, the move affects 122 employees. However, the notice provides a bit of relief for the local community, clarifying that the facility itself is not closing. Instead, Optalis is ceasing its management of the center effective June 30, 2026.
In the official submission, Optalis stated, “Pickaway Manor will no longer be managed by Optalis Healthcare. Pickaway Manor has hired a new management company.” While a management change of this scale triggers a mandatory layoff notice for the current staff, it often opens the door for employees to be rehired by the incoming firm.
Heavy Losses in Auto and Logistics
While Circleville faces a management transition, other parts of Ohio are bracing for permanent cuts. The auto parts and utility sectors were hit particularly hard:
- First Brands Group: The auto parts company is slashing a combined 709 jobs across two counties, with 407 layoffs in Tiffin (Seneca County) and 302 in Bowling Green (Wood County).
- GridHawk: A utility service in Mount Gilead reported the loss of 248 workers.
- Refresco: The independent soft drink bottler in Toledo announced it will cease manufacturing operations in June, affecting 63 employees.
State Support for Affected Workers
The ODJFS Rapid Response Unit is currently mobilizing to assist those impacted. Coordinators will provide no-cost services, including information on unemployment benefits and re-employment training assistance to help workers navigate the transition.
