George’s BBQ Sauce Named Finalist in 2022 Coolest Thing Made in NC Competition
Nashville, NC - Today, the NC Chamber announced the 10 finalists—5 for the medium-to-large business category and 5 for the small business category—for its annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” online competition, which began with 80+ nominees. Following thousands of votes cast in the last two weeks, George’s BBQ Sauce was named a Top Five finalist in this year’s small business category. This is George’s Sauces’ third consecutive year placing in the Top Five in North Carolina Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made in NC.
New for 2022, the contest will recognize two winners as opposed to one: one for businesses with fewer than 100 employees, and one for businesses with 100+ employees.
“We’re head over heels to be in the finals for Coolest Thing Made in NC,” states Ashley Hassell, Co-Owner of George’s, “Seriously, after starting with 80 something phenomenal NC businesses we’re thrilled to have made it into the last round! We’re a small team with a huge heart - and we’re honored our community is celebrating that with us.”
This is the third year that the NC Chamber has held the popular, public-driven contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry—an industry that generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state's workforce.
North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state's workforce. As the exclusive North Carolina affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber recognizes that our strong manufacturing industry is central to the state's economic and competitive success.
“After the 32,000 votes cast over the last two weeks were tallied, George’s BBQ Sauce was named a finalist in the 2022 small business category.
Now? As of 9 AM EST, the CMINC vote resets, and the count restarts one final time.”
“Congratulations, George’s BBQ Sauce, for advancing to the final round,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “As we always say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina. With over 32,000 votes cast in this contest so far, it’s clear that North Carolinians share the Chamber’s love for our state’s innovative manufacturing community. This celebrated competition is a way to honor all our state’s manufacturers – the backbone of North Carolina’s economy for more than a century.”
“Congratulations to these distinguished finalists, who demonstrate the incredible variety of continuous innovation in North Carolina’s manufacturing sector,” said North Carolina Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding.
How to Vote:
Go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote for the coolest thing made in NC; last day to vote is Thursday, September 29. The field has narrowed down with each round of voting, and the winning product will be revealed on Thursday, October 6, the day before National Manufacturing (MFG) Day. October is Manufacturing Month, and MFG Day, organized nationally by the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, highlights the rewarding career opportunities of modern manufacturing.
Join the contest’s social media campaign by following #CoolestThingMadeinNC. In addition to receiving a trophy, the victorious company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts. Information on last year’s winner and runners-up can be found here.
“We’re head over heels to be in the finals for Coolest Thing Made in NC,” states Ashley Hassell, Co-Owner of George’s, “Seriously, after starting with 81 phenomenal NC businesses we’re thrilled to have made it into the last round! We’re a small team with huge heart - and we’re honored that our community is celebrating that with us.”
The Coolest Thing Made in NC Finalists (in alphabetical order by manufacturing location):
Medium-to-Large // Business Category
Durham, Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide
Greensboro, HondaJet EliteS
Pine Hall, Wieland Finned Tubes
Sanford, Caterpillar's Cat® 299D3 XE Compact Track Loader
Winston-Salem, Cook Medical’s Hemospray Device
Small // Business Category
Greensboro, BeachBUB Umbrella System
Holly Springs, SOLOCART
Nashville, George’s BBQ Sauce
Smyrna, Crab Pot Christmas Trees by Fisherman’s Creations
Wilson, Artisan Leaf Handcrafted Tobacco Leaf Tables and Surfaces
In 2020, the NC Chamber launched the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” competition to celebrate North Carolina’s innovative manufacturing community – and champion the next generation of manufacturers and creators by raising awareness about the rewarding careers of modern manufacturing. Last year, after 68 products were nominated and more than 50,000 votes counted, Western Star’s 49X Vocational Truck won the 2022 title, while George’s Sauces came in 4th overall.
About George’s Sauces
Since 1975, our sauces have been made by hand, in small batches using the same family recipe. A vinegar-based, Eastern NC style barbecue sauce: simple to make, difficult to perfect. Flavors include "Original" - our standard vinegar-based recipe; "Hot" - featuring our original style, but with double the heat; "Special" - a tomato-based tribute to some of our western-loving fans.
About the NC Chamber
The NC Chamber works to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina. For more information, visit ncchamber.com.
About North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation was formed in 1936 as a non-profit general farm organization to serve farmers and provide a unified voice for the interests and needs of the farming community. For more information, visit https://www.ncfb.org/.
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