RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the NC Chamber announced the top five finalists in each category—small, medium, and large business—for its annual Coolest Thing Made in NC online competition.

This is the seventh year that the NC Chamber has held the popular, public-voting 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.

“Congratulations to this year’s Coolest Thing Made in NC finalists,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “Every year, this competition showcases the incredible products being made across our state and the people and companies behind them. What’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina, and this contest is a celebration of the manufacturers that strengthen our economy, create opportunity, and make our state a top place to do business.”

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 for the coolest thing made in NC. The last day to vote is Friday, September 25. The three winning products will be revealed on Thursday, October 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 victorious company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications and social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts. Information on last year’s winner and runners-up can be found here.

Large Business Category:

Product	Company	Region
Carrier Chillers	Carrier	Charlotte Region
Cheez-It Original Snack Crackers	Mars Snacking	Triangle
Dyneema®	Avient Protective Materials	Eastern NC
North Carolina Sweetpotatoes	NC Sweetpotato Commission	Eastern NC
Wegovy® pill	Novo Nordisk	Triangle

 

Medium Business Category:

Product	Company	Region
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
Lithium	Rio Tinto	Charlotte Region
Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce	Garner Foods	Triad

 

Small Business Category:

Product	Company	Region
Atlantic Beach Sea Salt	Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Company	Eastern NC
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
Old School Brand™ Hot Cocoa Mix	Old School Mill, Inc.	Charlotte Region

 

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