You can vote for the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Oregon’; this year’s 10 finalists include three Bend companies

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- What do beard oil, a blanket, a robot and an airplane have in common? They’re among the finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Oregon contest, presented by Oregon Business & Industry in partnership with Here is Oregon. The 16 finalists represent a wide variety of products manufactured throughout the state, from Pendleton to Tillamook.

The finalists appear on a bracket that will be used to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Oregon. The first round of voting, which will cut the list to eight products, is now open and will continue through noon on Sept. 23. Oregonians can download a printable bracket and learn about the Coolest Thing finalists on OBI’s website here. They should go here to vote for their favorites.

An expert panel chose this year’s finalists from among more than 100 products nominated by Oregonians over the spring and summer. Members of the public will narrow the field of finalists during several rounds of voting. The manufacturer of the winning product will receive formal recognition and enjoy bragging rights for producing Oregon’s coolest thing. At least until next year, when Oregonians will identify a new coolest thing.

The 16 finalists and the company locations:

• Agility Robotics’ Digit (Tangent)
• Bearded Oregon’s Beard Oil (Salem)
• Beaverton Foods’ Beaver Brand Mustard (Hillsboro)
• Cv International’s F-35 Fighter Maintenance Platform (Bend)
• Element 1’s Hydrogen Generator (Bend)
• Epic Aircraft’s E1000 GX (Bend)
• Leatherman’s Multitool (Portland)
• Northwest UAV’s UAV Fuel Cell (McMinnville)
• Oregon Tool’s Diamond Chainsaw Chain (Portland)
• Pendleton Woolen Mill’s Yakima Wool Blanket (Pendleton)
• The Portland Loo’s Portland Loo (Portland)
• Tillamook’s Ice Cream (Tillamook)
• Timberline Vodka’s Vodka (Hood River)
• Type 2 Campers’ Camper (Woodburn)
• Wesco Boots’ Boots (Scappoose)
• Wood Pellet Products’ Timber Stoves Pellet Patio Heater (Mt. Angel)

OBI is a statewide association representing businesses from a wide variety of industries and from each of Oregon’s 36 counties. In addition to being the statewide chamber of commerce, OBI is the state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Retail Federation. Our 1,600 member companies, more than 80% of which are small businesses, employ more than 250,000 Oregonians. Oregon’s private sector businesses help drive a healthy, prosperous economy for the benefit of everyone.