RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the NC Chamber announced 30 semifinalists for its annual Coolest Thing Made in NC online competition. More than 8,200 votes were cast in the first round, narrowing the field from 88 products to 30 semifinalists.

This year’s contest has 10 semifinalists in each of three categories: Small Business (1-99 employees); Medium Business (100-999 employees); and Large Business (1,000+ employees).

This is the seventh year that the NC Chamber has held the popular, public-driven contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry—an industry that accounts for 15% of the state’s GDP and employs more than 8.9% of the state’s workforce.

“This year’s Coolest Thing Made in NC semifinalists showcase the remarkable range and innovation of North Carolina manufacturing,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary J. Salamido. “From food and household products to boats, equipment, and advanced technologies, what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”

Allegacy Financial is serving as the Presenting Sponsor of the online competition, Business North Carolina is this year’s Media Partner, and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is collaborating as a Supporting Organization. As the exclusive North Carolina affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber knows that a strong manufacturing industry is crucial to the state’s economic and competitive success.

How to Vote

Go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote daily for the coolest thing made in NC. Round 2 of voting closes Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 9 p.m., with the top five finalists announced Monday, Sept. 21. The winning product will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 1, the day before National Manufacturing (MFG) Day. October is Manufacturing Month, and MFG Day, organized nationally by the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, highlights the rewarding career opportunities of modern manufacturing.

Join the contest’s social media campaign by following #CoolestThingMadeinNC. In addition to receiving a trophy, the winning company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts. Information on last year’s winner and runners-up can be found here.

The Coolest Thing Made in NC Semifinalists:

Small Business Semifinalists (1-99 Employees)
Product	Company	Location
Atlantic Beach Sea Salt	Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Company	Eastern NC
Bone Suckin’ Sauce	Bone Suckin’ Sauce	Triangle
Carolina Soap	Sparta Candle Co.	Western NC
Date Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing & Marinade	CW Dressings	Sandhills
Deltec Homes 360° Signature Collection	Deltec Homes	Western NC
Nature’s Twist Sugar-Free Lemonades (Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Orangeade, Twist-sicle)	Ventures Food & Beverage	Triangle
NC State Flag Quarter Crew Sock	Mayo Mills	Eastern NC
Old School Brand™ Hot Cocoa Mix	Old School Mill, Inc.	Charlotte Region
Plantd Structural Panel	Plantd	Triangle
Scout Hatchet	Council Tool Company	Eastern NC

 

Medium Business Semifinalists (100 – 999 Employees)
Product	Company	Location
321 Coastal Explorer	Grady-White Boats	Eastern NC
Ambulances	American Emergency Vehicles	Western NC
Bayliss Sportfishing Yachts	Bayliss Boatworks	Eastern NC
Bright Leaf Hot Dogs	Carolina Packers	Eastern NC
Cheerwine	Cheerwine/Carolina Beverage Corp	Charlotte Region
FourTrax Foreman 4×4	American Honda Motor Co., Inc.	Triad
HI-CHEW Fantasy Mix	Morinaga America Foods, Inc.	Triad
Lithium	Rio Tinto	Charlotte Region
Power Curber 5700-D	Power Curbers	Charlotte Region
Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce	Garner Foods	Triad

 

Large Business Semifinalists (1000+ Employees)
Product	Company	Location
Butterball Ground Turkey	Butterball, LLC	Eastern NC
Carrier Chillers	Carrier	Charlotte Region
Cheez-It Original Snack Crackers	Mars Snacking	Triangle
Creative Artwork by Adults Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)	Monarch	Charlotte Region
Dyneema®	Avient Protective Materials	Eastern NC
North Carolina Sweetpotatoes	NC Sweetpotato Commission	Eastern NC
PG1140 Portable Generator	Bobcat Company	Charlotte Region
Pickle Juicers	Mt. Olive Pickle Company	Eastern NC
T-Rex® Heavy-Duty, Extra-Wide Waterproof & Repair Tape	Shurtape Technologies	Western NC
Wegovy® pill	Novo Nordisk	Triangle

 

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