Delawareans in Frederica have been the primary supplier of spacesuits for NASA since the dawn of Apollo, and astronauts aboard the International Space Station are still wearing them. Delawareans in Milton brew high-quality beers that are a household name brand. Delawareans in Newark make mammography imaging detectors designed to be the fastest, highest resolution breast tomosynthesis system ever.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, the Delaware Manufacturing Association, are seeking nominations for the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware.

In its second year, the contest serves to highlight the First State’s vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry – which employs 28,000 Delawareans – and promote the sector as a top career path.

“With an output of nearly $5.6 billion, the industry is a major force in Delaware’s economy and the third-largest traded sector,” said Michael J. Quaranta, DSCC president. “People in the First State are contributing to products that have both local and global impacts.”

Structured in a bracket format, this competition offers an engaging and imaginative campaign that brings in the general population and educates them about the manufacturing industry’s economic outputs, innovative products, impact, careers opportunities, and more.

Eligible companies are manufacturers whose nominated product is manufactured in a Delaware-based facility. The product must be made using a manufacturing process. Participants are welcome to nominate as many products as they’d like during the initial nomination period.

Nominations will be accepted until Wednesday Feb. 19, at DSCC.com/MFG.

All qualifying nominees will be announced Thursday, Feb. 20, and the popular vote will commence. Manufacturers, employees and consumers alike are encouraged to participate in the voting. Votes can be cast once per day, per device at DSCC.com/MFG. After the popular vote round ends Thursday, Feb. 27, the top 16 products – one per company – will proceed to compete in the bracket-style contest, ultimately culminating in one champion.

The 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware will be revealed at the DSCC’s Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference Thursday, March 27 at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover.