ArcelorMittal is planning to restart a blast furnace and steel-producing operation at its Indiana Harbor Works in East Chicago, Ind. The company said it is increasing production in response to improving market demand. The No. 4 blast furnace and No. 3 steel-producing plant will be restarted after being idled last year due to a lack of demand. The temporary shutdown affected more than 700 workers. ArcelorMittal has not said how many workers would be rehired or when they would return.

U.S. Steel is reopening its Great Lakes Works, which was idled in January 2009 due the economic downturn and a drop in demand. According to union officials, U.S. Steel unionized employees also have been recalled at two other idled plants – Granite City Works, a steelmaking facility in Illinois, and Hamilton Works, a plant in Ontario that is being restarted for its coke ovens.