WILMINGTON — The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, the Delaware Manufacturing Association, are seeking to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware.

This inaugural contest serves to highlight Delaware’s vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry—which employs 28,000 Delawareans—and promote the sector as a top career path.

Structured in a bracket format, this competition offers an engaging and imaginative campaign that brings in the general population and educates them about the manufacturing industry’s economic outputs, innovative products, impact, careers opportunities, and more.

“Delaware’s low cost of doing business, central location, and skilled workforce position the state as a center for manufacturing. With an output of nearly $5.6 billion, the industry is a major force in Delaware’s economy and the third-largest traded sector,” said DSCC President Michael J. Quaranta. “Not only do manufacturers make products that meet the needs of consumers right here in the First State, but they have global—even galactic—impacts.”

Nominations at DSCC.com/MFG will be accepted until Feb. 21. Eligible companies are manufacturers whose nominated product is manufactured in a Delaware-based facility. The product must be made using a manufacturing process. Participants are welcome to nominate as many products as they’d like during the initial nomination period.

On Feb. 22, all qualifying nominees will be announced, and the popular vote will commence. Manufacturers, employees, and consumers alike are welcome to participate in the voting. Votes can be cast once per day, per device at DSCC.com/MFG.

After the popular vote round ends on Feb. 29, the top 16 products—one per company—will proceed to compete in the bracket-style contest, ultimately culminating in one champion.

The 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware will be revealed at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference on March 28 at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover.