The Iowa Association of Business and Industry has opened public voting for its third annual Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition, with nominees drawn from 51 cities across the state.
The contest, presented by Nicolet National Bank, highlights Iowa’s manufacturing sector, which contributes more than $44 billion annually to the state’s economy, accounts for roughly 16% of the state’s gross domestic product and employs more than 215,000 people.
This year’s nominees span a range of product categories, including agricultural equipment, consumer goods, food and beverage items, construction materials and technology.
Nominees from Corridor businesses include:
- AT35NSL FLOW Bulk Feed Trailer, KT Pacer, Cedar Rapids
- B18 HP Firewood Processor, Blockbuster Firewood Processors, Washington
- Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cedar Ridge Distillery, Swisher
- Flexzilla Garden Hose, Legacy Manufacturing, Marion
- Gushers, General Mills, Cedar Rapids
- Load Cell, Scale-Tec, Anamosa
- Sand Processing Plant, JW Bell, Cedar Rapids
- SMR – Turkey Barn Robot, Poultry Patrol Inc., Coralville
- Yield of Dreams Iowa Corn Lager, Iowa Brewers Guild, Iowa City
Voting is open at coolestthingia.com through April 15. In the initial round, voters may select up to four products. The top 16 vote-getters will advance to a bracket-style tournament, with head-to-head matchups determining the winner. Voters may cast one vote per device every 24 hours in each round.
The 2026 winner will be announced during ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference, scheduled for June 2-4 in Coralville and Iowa City.
Founded in 1903, ABI represents member companies across all industries and Iowa’s 99 counties. Its members employ more than 330,000 Iowans.
