Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest is back for the second year

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nominations are now open for the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest.

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce started the competition last year to showcase what’s made in Nebraska and get people excited about manufacturing opportunities in the state.

Manufacturing is one of the top industries in the state, in terms of gross domestic product, according to the chamber.

The hope of the contest is to get young people interested in the industry and show them that it’s a lot different now than what it was in the past.

“They don’t know what modern-day manufacturing looks like,” said Michael Johnson, the chamber’s chief operating officer. “They think of what it used to look like in the 1930s and the 1940s. It’s so much different. It’s so much more sophisticated and clean and safe. And it’s a really great place to work every day and solve problems.”

Last year, Kawasaki won for its manufacturing of a railcar for the New York Transit Authority.

The chamber is hoping this year will be even better.

The nominations are open through Aug. 15 on the chamber’s website.

Anyone can nominate a cool thing made in Nebraska. You don’t have to work for a manufacturing company to nominate something.

The rules of the contest can also be viewed here.