WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — AK Steel said it will build a new research and innovation center in southwestern Ohio.

The West Chester-based company said the 120,000 sq. ft. facility will be built on a 15-acre site in Middletown at an estimated cost of $36 million. It will be located in the Cincinnati-Dayton growth corridor along Interstate 75.

The center will replace the company’s existing research facility at another Middletown site. The company’s largest steel manufacturing plant also is in Middletown.

AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products for industries including automotive, construction and infrastructure, manufacturing and electricity.

AK Steel said groundbreaking for its new center is planned for the late spring or early summer of 2015.

The company said the project is subject to final state and local government approvals.

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