The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is making significant strides in attracting and expanding companies within the region, showcasing its impact on the local and global business landscape.

Through a comprehensive regional marketing strategy, the chamber’s Economic Competitiveness team has been pivotal in promoting Greater Philadelphia as a premier global destination for business.

This initiative has seen the chamber engage in various activities over the past few months, aimed at increasing awareness and drawing national and international attention to the opportunities available in the area.

The chamber’s content — shared through its website, social media channels, and e-newsletters — focuses on important industry developments and highlights the quality of life and benefits of doing business here. To build engagement through compelling content, it recently launched a Momentum Makers video series to share the stories of companies located or expanding in the region.

The first episode (below) features Leonardo Helicopters US and outlines the Italy-based defense giant’s reasons for locating in Greater Philadelphia, citing the quality workforce, access to a large airfield, and an ample customer base.

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“I see Philadelphia as representative of the United States,” said Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters US. “From the diversity of the city, from universities, to the working class, to sports — Philadelphia encapsulates the United States all in one place.”

In 2021, Leonardo opened a new 60,000-square-foot Training Academy for Pilots and Maintenance Technicians from all over North and Central America to learn to fly and maintain Leonardo helicopters.

The academy, part of an $80 million expansion plan at the company’s site in Northeast Philadelphia, features state-of-the-art classrooms, lounges, maintenance training bays, virtual-enhanced training devices, and flight simulators.

This year, Leonardo US will build more than 70 helicopters, some of which are for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

“We have about 1,000 (employees) here in Philadelphia. When you look at our workforce, it’s very diverse in terms of skillsets and experience. Our culture is manifested on the (manufacturing) line. If you’re working on an aircraft, and you’re helping to build it with your teammates, and a few short weeks later, you see this aircraft fly. It’s out there saving lives, fighting fires, training student aviators, supporting national defense. Every one of the 1,000 people here has a direct impact on that. It’s extremely gratifying.”

— Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters US

The chamber’s Business Attraction and Expansion team, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development and SelectUSA, recently launched a business attraction initiative targeting Montreal.

It has resulted in nine businesses considering opening operations in Greater Philadelphia and six new membership leads from French-Canadian companies interested in the region’s business ecosystem.

Learn more about the region and incentive programs, real estate, and job opportunities at Select Greater Philadelphia