Written by Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — The fifth annual “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” competition has started, with nominations to be accepted through August followed by public voting in September.
The contest — designed as an image-booster for the state’s manufacturing industry — has grown in popularity, with some 40,000 votes cast last year over multiple rounds of a bracket-style tournament. Many Nebraskans follow the annual competition started in 2022 and learn about products made in their state.
A hope is that it also sparks more interest in manufacturing jobs. One chamber leader once said a sign of success would be to hear a student say, “Holy cow, I had no idea I could make something like this in my own backyard, in this area, and have this really unique and interesting career.”
Sixteen products will be chosen from the pool of statewide nomination entries by a panel of business and nonprofit leaders. Members of the public will vote for their favorite product to advance it to the next round. The champion will be announced Oct. 29 when the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds its manufacturing summit in La Vista.
The winner will join the ranks of other “coolest” Nebraska-made products: a Grand Island-produced combine series by Case IH (2025), Valley Irrigation’s center pivot irrigation machine (2024), Rocket Mobility’s all-terrain tracked wheelchair made in Columbus (2023) and Kawasaki’s subway car built in Lincoln to run on the rail tracks of New York City (2022).
According to contest rules, the company that makes the product does not have to be headquartered in the state, but the product must be manufactured in a Nebraska-based facility.
“Nebraska manufacturers are second to none in the U.S., creating innovative products that strengthen our economy and local communities every day,” said state chamber President and CEO Joseph Young.
The Coolest Thing contest leads into National Manufacturing Month in October and celebrates one of the state’s largest industries, which contest organizers say employs more than 100,000 Nebraskans.
“From innovative products to quality jobs, Nebraska manufacturers strengthen our economy and communities across the state,” said Marc Wisdom, president of Pinnacle Bank, a partner in sponsoring the contest with the chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance.
Registration for the October manufacturing summit is open to the public and has an entry fee.
