Forget flyover clichés. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Ohio didn’t show up to join the conversation. It showed up to lead it.
In the world’s most high-stakes aerospace marketplace, where nations jostle for attention and tech titans polish their pitches, Ohio did something different—it laid out a blueprint. Quietly confident, logically irresistible, and unapologetically ambitious.
“We’re not trying to be Silicon Valley,” said JP Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio. “We’re building something uniquely Ohio—an integrated, execution-driven environment where global aerospace companies can scale, fast.
At this year’s show, JobsOhio didn’t just bring brochures. It brought a vision for the future of aerospace, backed by real-world velocity. From hosting panels with CEOs of Beta, Joby, Wisk, and Archer to sparking dialogue on defense-driven innovation with Sierra Nevada Corporation and retired U.S. Air Force generals, the state’s team wasn’t making noise. They were making sense.
That’s Ohio’s move right now: precision over flash. And Europe is paying attention.
Over the past few years, European companies in aerospace, advanced air mobility (AAM), and defense tech have increasingly looked to Ohio as the landing zone for U.S. expansion. The reasons aren’t abstract. They’re tangible: a deep supply chain, a rich workforce, dual-use manufacturing capabilities, FAA-certified test corridors, and a cost profile that makes even the savviest CFOs lean in.
Located in the American Midwest, Ohio sits within a one-day drive of 60% of the U.S. and Canadian population. It’s home to one of the most advanced logistics networks in North America—featuring eight commercial airports, the country’s fourth-largest interstate system, and global air cargo hubs for both UPS and Amazon. For international companies, Ohio offers immediate access to suppliers, customers, and coast-to-coast distribution, all from a central, business-friendly base.
“European companies want predictability, capability, and speed to market,” Nauseef explained. “Ohio offers all three. It’s a complete ecosystem with a practical mindset and a global outlook.”
While much of the world still defaults to California or Texas, Ohio is reframing the map for aerospace scale-ups and startups alike. The state is already home to giants in avionics, propulsion, and component manufacturing. And it’s fast becoming the preferred base for next-gen aviation—from eVTOL assembly to battery innovation.
“Speed, certainty, and capability. That’s what Ohio brings to the table.”
JP Nauseef, President & CEO, JobsOhio
That’s no accident. JobsOhio is structured as a private nonprofit, allowing it to move faster than traditional state agencies. For international companies, that translates into quick turnarounds, tailored workforce support, and streamlined integration with local partners and research hubs.
“We’re designed for action,” said Nauseef. “We can move at the speed our partners need—whether they’re bringing five jobs or five hundred.”
The message landed in Paris. JobsOhio’s presence at the show was anything but symbolic. It was calculated and connected—meeting after meeting with European companies looking for a partner that gets industrial scaling, understands regulatory complexity, and speaks the language of delivery.
For companies concerned about navigating U.S.–EU certification pathways, Ohio offers a practical on-ramp. The state’s alignment with the FAA, Department of Defense, and private certification programs creates a unique “fast track” environment for firms developing and testing new aircraft platforms.
Then there’s the talent. Ohio’s workforce isn’t just large—it’s aerospace-native. With a legacy that stretches from the Wright brothers in Dayton to cutting-edge propulsion testing at NASA Glenn, the state’s skill base spans the spectrum, from machining and materials to software and simulation. And it’s getting deeper. Ohio is investing heavily in workforce development, military-to-industry transition programs, and advanced training tied directly to employer needs.
“There’s a global conversation happening about labor shortages and readiness,” said Nauseef. “We’re not just talking about it—we’re solving for it.”
Sustainability, too, is built into the pitch. Whether it’s electrification, AI-integrated flight systems, or circular supply chains, Ohio is positioning itself as a hub for serious climate-tech engineering in aviation. With lower energy costs, abundant land, and a central logistics location, the state makes decarbonization operational—not aspirational.
The Paris trip wasn’t just a photo op. It was a turning point.”We want companies to see Ohio not as a backup plan,” Nauseef said, “but as the smart, first move when entering the U.S. market.”
There are many places to set up shop in America. But very few offer what Ohio does: a frictionless path from concept to production, rooted in engineering DNA and a culture that knows how to deliver.
Ohio isn’t pitching the future. It’s building it—one aircraft, one partnership, one runway at a time.
