Two products from Elizabeth City are among the 145 nominees for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Coolest Thing Made in NC contest. The nominees are Hoffer Flow Controls’ flow meters and TCOM LP’s aerostats, which are competing for recognition in the state’s cutting-edge manufacturing sector.
The contest, which started in 2020, honors two winners each year: one from businesses with fewer than 100 employees and one from those with 100 or more employees. Winners are chosen by public online votes.
Last year, TCOM LP reached the semifinals in the 100-plus employee category. The company, based in Weeksville, makes unmanned tethered aerostats used for long-term defense operations, including intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Hoffer Flow Controls, located on Kitty Hawk Lane, produces turbine flow meters that measure the flow of liquids, gases, and cryogenic fluids. Their markets include aerospace, military applications, and chiller systems.
Scott Hinton, executive director of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Economic Development Commission, praised the recognition of these local companies. Hoffer Flow has been making precision flow meters for years, and TCOM produces incredibly unique products. It’s great to see others recognize the innovation in our town, he said.
This year’s contest features 145 nominees, up from last year’s 130. Other regional nominees include Domtar Lighthouse Fluff Pulp from Domtar’s Plymouth Plant and Bertie County Peanuts’ Blister Fried Peanuts from Windsor.
Last year’s winners were CR Onsrud’s Q-Series 5-Axis CNC Machine and Fjord Inc’s Static Rope Edge Protection. Voting for this year’s first round has ended, and the 15 semifinalists in each category will be announced live on YouTube. To vote in the semifinals, visit coolestthingmadeinnc.com. Winners will be announced on October 3, just before National Manufacturing Day.
Winning products will receive a trophy and be featured in various NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications and media.
Manufacturing contributes over 17% to North Carolina’s gross product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce, according to the NC Chamber.