Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of a Hiker Trailer with its awning extended at the Hiker Trailer production facility in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
A Columbus company is one of 32 remaining businesses vying for the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Indiana.”
Hiker Trailers, Columbus, is still in the running, but Not Just Popcorn of Edinburgh has been eliminated after the initial rounds of voting.
The contest is put on by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Destination Development Corp. The state agencies say interest is at an all-time high and thousands of online votes have already been cast in the first two rounds of the competition. The contest began with a record field of 90 manufacturers, and now 32 makers from 25 cities are still up for a vote.
The contestants, matchups, array of cool products and product descriptions can be seen on the event’s website indianachamber.com/coolest-thing-made-in-indiana-tournament/. Fans and followers of the competitors can be part of the competition by voting online. Voters must vote for all matchups in any given round in which they vote.
The IDDC’s “IN Indiana” marketing campaign is incorporated into this year’s Coolest Thing Made contest, which is run like a single-elimination, Hoosier Hysteria-style tournament. The third round of voting is ongoing through Friday.
“This event has become just what the Indiana Chamber and IDDC hoped for — a showcase for the many tremendous makers and re-manufacturers across Indiana,” Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO said in a statement. “With interest continuing to intensify as the competitors are narrowed down to the very coolest, we know the spotlight will burn bright on the winners of upcoming rounds and the eventual champion.”
New this year, the IDDC will produce high-quality videos showcasing the eight quarterfinalists, which those companies will be able to use for their own promotions – and bragging rights.
Entry in the contest is free. To participate, a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state.
Remaining competitors and their home cities are:
- 80/20 LLC, Columbia City
- Antique Candle Co., Lafayette
- Aqua Blast Corp., Decatur
- Bear Wallow Distillery, Nashville
- Blue Fox Farms LLC, Wawaka
- Clabber Girl, Terre Haute
- Country Roads Coffee, Albion
- Electric Jet Aircraft, Pendleton
- Foamnasium, Greenfield
- Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne
- Gator, Columbia City
- GEN-Y Hitch, Nappanee
- Goshen Brewing Co., Goshen
- Guardian Bikes, Seymour
- Hard Truth Whiskey Co., Nashville
- Harpsicle Harps, Rising Sun
- Hiker Trailers, Columbus
- Kidstuff Playsystems Inc., Gary
- Kimball International, Jasper
- L3Harris Technologies Inc., Fort Wayne
- Labcorp, Indianapolis
- Marsha’s Specialty Desserts & Tierney’s Catering, Avon
- Middle Davids Artisan Candles & Gifts, Franklin
- Noble Industries, Noblesville
- Polygon Company, Walkerton
- QuickFreeze, Fort Wayne
- Rolls-Royce North America, Indianapolis
- Smoker Craft, Inc., New Paris
- SpaceGuard Products, Seymour
- Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions, Granger
- Wheelin Water LLC, New Haven
- Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers, Greenfield
