The coolest product made in South Carolina last year was the F-16 fighter jet, residents say. In Arkansas, they chose fluff pulp, the absorbent material made from softwood chips that goes into baby diapers and other products.

In 2024, it’s Iowans’ turn to vote on the coolest product made in their state ― and they’re likely to learn about items they never knew were made here.

The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest, which kicks off with the nominating process starting March 25, is being sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and MidwestOne Bank. It culminates with a winner being announced June 5 at the ABI’s annual conference in the Quad Cities.

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“We work with Iowa manufacturers every day and even we don’t know all of the products that are made out there. It’s a chance for us to learn what all is being made in Iowa as well,” said Kelsey O’Connor of ABI.

Anyone can nominate an Iowa product they think is cool by going to coolestthingia.com starting March 25. Nominees for a Sweet 16 round will be announced on April 19, with bracket votingfrom April 22 to May 29. The makers of the top four products will be invited to the conference for the announcement of the winner.

In neighboring Nebraska, the excitement of the competition was “amazing and fun,” said Andy Havlovic, owner of Rocket Mobility, the 2023 winner.

The Columbus company’s winning product ― which is indeed, cool ― is a motorized, all-terrain wheel chair built on tracks, allowing disabled people to access hard to reach places in the great outdoors.

“It was just fun to be a part of it. We wanted to win, but just being in the final 16 was so worth it. Columbus and all the employees were all excited as we advanced from round to round,” Havlovic said.

He said the competition also gave his company some valuable exposure.

“It was important to us because we’re not a large company like some of the others that were in the contest,” he said.

O’Connor said that’s exactly what ABI is hoping for with the Iowa competition.

“We don’t know exactly what to expect but hopefully it will be as popular here as it has been in other states. We are hopeful that it is,” she said.

In addition to the “wow factor” of being able to highlight unique products made in Iowa, she said, the competition helps spotlight the state’s manufacturing industry, which employs 225,000 people and contributes over $38 billion annually to the economy.

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O’Connor said the contest also is an opportunity to highlight the manufacturing careers that are available in Iowa.

“In other states, it has been fun to see smaller communities rally around the cool products that are made in their town,” she said.

She said the winner of Coolest Thing Made In Iowa will get a trophy to go with the bragging rights.

And that’s pretty cool in itself.