MIDDLETOWN — An AK Steel Corp. official confirmed the company is considering relocating about 75 employees from a Middletown office to another facility.

Ongoing maintenance and utility cost issues at the company's sole remaining occupied office on Grove Street have had them looking for other possible locations, said Alan McCoy, AK's vice president of government and public relations.

"We are looking at whether or not there is a more efficient, better location," he said.

About 75 research jobs are located at the Middletown office.

McCoy said AK Steel has been considering a possible relocation over the past several months, but has made no decision yet. Also not decided is whether to choose a facility in Middletown.

"Nothing is imminent," he said.

Mayor Larry Mulligan said the city was aware that AK was evaluating the usability of its Middletown office due to maintenance issues.

"I hadn't heard anything that they were specifically moving out of the city," he said.

In the meantime, Mulligan said the city will try to work with the company as it considers its options to make sure they include Middletown.

"I think the city would take a stance to try to work with them to find a facility to meet their needs," he said.

"There are the new 'smart offices' along (Ohio) 122 that would be available in mid-2009. We'll try to find good solutions for their needs and try to retain what jobs they have in the city."

The company moved about 300 executive positions last year when it moved its headquarters from Middletown to West Chester Twp.

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