TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Tampa Friday to attend the CAE USA's groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art U.S. headquarters. 

CAE USA is one of the leading training and simulation companies in the defense market.  The new 290,000 square-foot facility will be located on Tampa International Airport property.  It is expected to open in 2022. 

CAE has been in the Tampa Bay area for 40 years.  The company currently employs more than 500 locally and expects to create additional jobs at the new facility in areas such as computer and software engineering, program management, training instructors, and corporate functions. 

The new facility will provide employees a modern facility and help the company attract and retain the world-class workforce it needs to develop advanced training solutions for the country’s military men and women. 

The groundbreaking took place at the CAE construction site on Air Cargo Road and West South Avenue.  U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Mayor Jane Castor, and County Commissioner Pat Kemp also attended the event.