Wisconsin, Nebraska Contests Advance Eight Products Each

The 2026 Coolest Thing Made contests in Wisconsin and Nebraska have each narrowed their fields to eight products after first-round voting. Wisconsin’s remaining matchups include a Komatsu electric rope shovel against custom pool cues, smart privacy glass against a vertical turning center, small-arms fire control against candy bars, and wall protection against a zero-turn mower; voting for the final four runs Oct. 8–13, with the winner to be announced Oct. 27. In Nebraska, voters can choose among the eight remaining products through Oct. 11, and the winner will be announced Oct. 29 at the Nebraska Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit. Two Gering-based products advanced in Nebraska: Grand Republic Milling’s stone-milled flour and Family Built Homes’ modular housing, each moving on to face another manufacturer’s product.