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DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Association of Business and Industry is hosting a competition to highlight the manufacturing industry by finding the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa.

Around 20 states have held competitions like this in previous years, but this is the first time the competition will take place in Iowa.

“We really just want to highlight these manufacturers that mean so much to the state and to the communities,” said Kelsey O’Connor, the Marketing and Communications Director for ABI.

The manufacturing industry employs over 225,000 people and it contributes almost $39 billion to the state’s economy, according to O’Connor.

Companies and the public can nominate their favorite products for the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition up to Monday, April 8th.

ABI will then approve each nomination, making sure the products go through a manufacturing process or production line.

Popular voting opens on April 22nd. The public will have a full week to vote once per day, per device on what they think is the coolest thing made in our state.

From there, the Top 16, Top 8, and Top 4 will be periodically announced leading up to ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference on June 5 where the winner will be announced.

Nominations can be made on their website by submitting a logo, website, product description, and company contact name.

So far, ABI has received over 50 nominations with a range of products from all over the state. Some include ranch-flavored cotton candy, a NASCAR wheel accessory, and even a pet training toy.