Charlotte-based A/C product, Cheerwine among finalists for ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’ contest

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A Charlotte product is among the finalists for the N.C. Chamber’s 2025 Coolest Thing Made in NC contest. 

There are 15 finalists across three categories for the online competition, which began with a record-setting 188 nominees.

This is the sixth year that the NC Chamber has held the contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s manufacturing industry — one that generates more than 13.3% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce. 

In the Large Business category, Carrier Chillers is among the five finalists, and the only remaining from the Charlotte metro. The air conditioning company has a facility off of West WT Harris Blvd. In north Charlotte. 

Also, in the area, Salisbury-based Cheerwine is a finalist in the Medium Business category. 
  
“Congratulations to this year’s Coolest Thing Made in NC finalists,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “The contest highlights the pride North Carolinians have in the products built right here at home. With more than 25,500 votes cast already, it’s clear our state takes seriously the saying: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”
  
How to Vote: 

Go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote for the coolest thing made in NC. The last day to vote is Thursday, Sept. 25. The three winning products will be revealed on Oct. 2. 
  
Here are the 15 finalists:   

Large Business  

• Carrier, Carrier Chillers, Charlotte 
• Alamance Foods, FunPops, Graham 
• Nucor, Rebar, Lexington 
• Siemens Mobility Inc.,Passenger coaches for Amtrak, Lexington 
• Columbia Forest Products, PureBond Formaldehyde-Free Decorative Hardwood Plywood, Old Fort 

Medium Business   

• Regulator Marine, Regulator Boats, Edenton 
• Cheerwine, Cheerwine, Salisbury 
• Carolina Packers, Bright Leaf Hot Dogs, Smithfield 
• World Cat/HC Composites, Powered Catamaran Boat, Tarboro 
• Garner Foods, Texas Pete Hot Sauce, Winston-Salem  

Small Business 

• Blaze On Creations, 12-ounce Can-dle, Arden 
• Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Company, Atlantic Beach Sea Salt, Atlantic Beach 
• Ordway Glass Company, LLC, Custom Stained Glass, Fuquay-Varina 
• AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, Dual Agent Fire Suppression System, Raleigh 
• Brad Halling American Whiskey Co. LLC dba BHAWK, Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream, Southern Pines