It's time to decide: What is the coolest thing made in Minnesota?
Nominations are open through Aug. 15 for the second-ever "Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota" contest run by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce through its Manufacturers’ Council.
"Many times, we overlook the fact that Minnesota is a manufacturing state, with amazing products being created every day, all around the state," Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Loon said in a news release. "It’s time we celebrate their great innovations and products through this important program."
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Here's how the contest will work: A bracket of 64 products will be selected by a council of industry peers from a list of completed nominations. The first bracket will be announced Sept. 2, and the public will be able to vote on head-to-head matchups in five rounds until a winner is announced Oct. 7 at the 2025 Manufacturer's Summit in Minneapolis.
Any product made in Minnesota is eligible, but nominees must have been in business for at least two years and have a product that is made using a manufacturing process.
The winner of the first contest, held in 2024, was Scotch Magic Tape made by 3M, which has its headquarters in Maplewood, a suburb of St. Paul.
How many Minnesota residents work in manufacturing?
About 325,000 Minnesota residents work in manufacturing, which represents the single largest private-sector component of the state's gross domestic product, according to the Chamber.
Those workers took home $24.9 billion in 2022 for an average annual wage of $76,950, which is 10% higher than the state's overall private sector wage.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: What is the coolest thing made in Minnesota? Help choose the winner
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