ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota companies have a long history of innovation, creating some of the "coolest" products to fuel our economy.
This year, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has launched a competition to highlight that innovation.
This is why the Minnesota Chamber launched the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest, a bracket-style competition to spotlight the ingenuity and creativity of Minnesota's manufacturers and showcase the products we all take pride in.
Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota is more than just choosing a winner in a contest, it's about recognizing how manufacturers create jobs and contribute to the quality of life in Minnesota.
- Minnesota's manufacturing sector produced over $57 billion in GDP last year.
- Manufacturing represents the single largest private-sector component of Minnesota's GDP.
- 325,000 Minnesotans work in manufacturing.
- 42% of Minnesota's Fortune 500 companies are in manufacturing.
- Minnesota exported $120 billion in manufactured goods in 2015.
- These companies sent 1,057 different types of products to more than 200 countries worldwide.
- Manufacturing workers took home $24.9 billion last year for an average annual wage of $76,950 – 10% higher than the state's overall private sector wage.
For more than 30 years, the Minnesota Chamber has provided direct benefits to manufacturers by bringing them together statewide.
Timeline:
- July & August – Nomination Period
- September 3 – 64 finalists compete in week #1 of the online bracket
- Each week the number of finalists is cut in half (March Madness style.)
- October 4 – Last Day to Vote
- October 8 – Winner announced at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Manufacturing Summit