Wisconsin and Nebraska Name Finalists in Coolest Thing Made Contests

Wisconsin and Nebraska have each narrowed their 2026 “Coolest Thing Made” manufacturing competitions to four finalists, using public voting to spotlight products made in their states. Wisconsin’s 11th annual contest drew more than 100 nominees, and its final voting round begins Oct. 15; the winner will be announced Oct. 27 at a Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce event in Madison. Nebraska’s contest received more than 20,000 votes in its first two rounds, with final voting open through Oct. 18 and the winner to be announced Oct. 29 at the state Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit. Nebraska’s finalists include animal-health IV fluids made by Nova-Tech in Grand Island and products from two companies in Gering.