And then there were four. The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), and presenting sponsor MidWestOne Bank, have announced the Top 4 finalists in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition. Online voting continues.
Voters now have less than two weeks to choose their favorite. The Top 4 Coolest Things Made in Iowa and their Iowa manufacturers are:
- Butter Braid Pastry – Country Maid, Inc., West Bend.
- CHC Chocolate Pump – Viking Pump, Inc., Cedar Falls.
- CP770 Cotton Picker – John Deere, Ankeny.
- The Moose Fireplace Grill – The Moose Fireplace Grill, LLC, Red Oak.
The ABI’s second annual competition launched earlier this spring with nearly 70 product nominations. The competition highlights the manufacturing sector that supports more than 215,000 Iowa jobs and contributes over $43 billion annually to the state’s economy.
How to vote
The final round in the 2025 coolest competition returns to a popular vote format. Voting is open now and continues through Tuesday, June 3. Individuals can cast one vote per day, per device at www.coolestthingia.com.
The winner will be crowned live at ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference on Wednesday, June 11, in Council Bluffs.
Last year, the first-time contest awarded the coolest title to Vermeer Corporation, a third generation, family-owned company based in Pella, Iowa, for its ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler. The winner was announced in downtown Davenport at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference.
