Finger Lakes Textiles and Arctic Gear in Waterloo have won the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in New York competition, bringing statewide recognition to a manufacturing operation that employs people with disabilities, veterans and others facing barriers to work.
The organizations announced the result in a release submitted Saturday by Mozaic's marketing and development director, Karissa Hefferon. The annual competition is hosted by the Business Council of New York State.
The contest included 38 businesses and organizations from across New York. More than 40,000 votes were cast during a six-week voting period, according to the release.
Finger Lakes Textiles and Arctic Gear reached the final alongside Moog, Inc. Representatives of the Waterloo organizations were invited to the Business Council's annual meeting, where they presented their products and their approach to inclusive employment to manufacturers and other businesses from around the state.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our employees and the people we support every day,” said Allen Connely, Mozaic's president and CEO.
Manufacturing with an employment mission
Finger Lakes Textiles is a division of Mozaic, a chapter of The Arc New York. It produces hats through Arctic Gear, along with textile products and cold-weather apparel.
The organizations describe themselves as social enterprises. Their manufacturing work combines employment, workforce development and community partnerships to help people build skills, earn income and become more independent.
Mozaic said product sales support jobs for people with disabilities, veterans and others who face barriers to employment throughout the Finger Lakes region.
Hefferon said the competition also gave the organizations an opportunity to introduce that work to other manufacturers. “The relationships we built, the conversations we had, and the awareness we generated about inclusive employment are what make this experience so impactful,” she said.
The Arc New York's 35 local chapters collectively support more than 60,000 people with disabilities and their families and employ more than 30,000 people statewide, according to the release. The organization was founded by families more than 75 years ago.
Winner will host a manufacturing tour stop
The award also puts Finger Lakes Textiles and Arctic Gear on the Business Council's 2027 Manufacturing Bus Tour itinerary.
The tour travels across New York to highlight manufacturers. Its planned stop will give business and industry leaders an opportunity to visit Finger Lakes Textiles, see its operations and learn about its employment mission. The release did not give a date for the visit.
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