ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Cincinnati-based AK Steel Holding Corp. is recalling more than 500 hourly workers who had been laid off at its plant in Ashland, Ky.

The company is restarting its blast furnace at Ashland Works while it idles the Middletown furnace for maintenance work. AK Steel has planned to begin 45 days of maintenance in early March.

A local union president says he expects the company to lay off about 50 Middletown workers.

Approximately 87 Middletown workers already have been laid off.

Most of the 700 employees in Ashland were laid off because of decreased business.