Annual contest champions the state’s innovative manufacturing community
Contributed
RALEIGH, N.C. For the fifth year, the NC Chamber is asking the public to name the “Coolest Thing Made in NC.” The nominating period is officially open for the popular contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s impressive, technologically-driven manufacturing industry—an industry that generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.
The public-driven contest recognizes two winners: one for businesses with fewer than 100 employees, and one for businesses with 100+ employees.
“As we say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary J. Salamido. “We launched the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” statewide competition in 2020 to celebrate North Carolina’s innovative manufacturing community and champion the next generation of manufacturers and creators. We want to continue elevating the visibility of this vital industry and raise awareness about the limitless potential of modern manufacturing careers. This annual contest is an effective and fun way to do just that.”
Baxter is serving as the Presenting Sponsor of the online competition, and Business North Carolina is this year’s Media Partner. 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. The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is collaborating on the annual contest as a Supporting Organization.
How to Vote:
All are invited to go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com by Tuesday, August 13, to nominate any product that is made in North Carolina (company’s headquarters do not have to be in-state). On Thursday, August 22, the NC Chamber will announce online the full field of nominees, and the public may go to the site to vote on the “Coolest Thing Made in NC.” The field of candidates will narrow with each round of voting, with the winning products being announced on Thursday, October 3, 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 companies will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications and promoted across social media and other statewide publicity efforts.
Information on last year’s winner and runners-up can be found here.
About the NC Chamber
The NC Chamber works to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina. For more information, visit ncchamber.com and follow us on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Baxter
Every day, millions of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers rely on Baxter’s leading portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, kidney care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products used across patient homes, hospitals, physician offices and other sites of care. For more than 90 years, we’ve been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers who make it happen. With products, digital health solutions and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter’s employees worldwide are now building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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