Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of Italian-based Leonardo Helicopters, a leading manufacturer of both military and civil helicopters, while speaking in Northwest Florida this week.
The governor credited his relationship with Leonardo Helicopters, including Clyde Woltman, CEO of the company's U.S. Operations, for helping bring the manufacturer to Whiting Aviation Park in Milton. DeSantis visited Italy during a five-day trade mission last November.
"We've built a really good relationship with the company, because we understand the opportunities that we have, particularly in Northwest Florida," DeSantis said. "You have the best military community across these bases with the active duty, but then the veterans who stay here, of any place in the United States of America, as far as I'm concerned."
Leonardo Helicopters emphasized its arrival in Florida through a social media post on Sept. 11.
📅 One week away! We are opening our 73,000-sq-ft #FloridaSupportCenter in Milton, FL —designed for advanced #MRO, localized support and U.S. mission success.#LeonardoInTheUS #Rotorcraft #Helicopters #MadeInTheUSA pic.twitter.com/FdRT08KbVM
— Leonardo Helicopters (@LDO_Helicopters) September 11, 2025
DeSantis said the company is expected to bring 150 jobs to the area.
"The economic footprint, the industry footprint, these are good jobs," DeSantis continued. "These are positive industries. You have all these great people who work in the military, who are working on different things, focusing on defense in this area. There's going to be a great talent pipeline that's going to be able to come here."
The governor also promoted the area's leisure as a perk for potential residents looking at Leonardo Helicopters for work.
"I think you're going to continue to see the manufacturing base and the industrial base in this part of the state continue to grow," DeSantis said. "And you know, when people come to this part of the state and they see the beaches, and then they're like, well, you know, I've never seen beaches that nice before, maybe this is a place I want to be."
According to a report, about 56,000 active service members and as many as 130,000 veterans live in Northwest Florida. The area is also home to Naval Air Station, home of the famous Blue Angels, in Pensacola.
