Noble Wood Shavings Wins Business Competition

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Noble Wood Shavings, an equine bedding manufacturer in Sherrill, is the winner of the EDGEccelerator Business Competition presented by NBT Bank.

The co-entrants, Jason DiBenedetto and Leo Rentzis, won $20,000 cash, and qualify for a $50,000 loan to implement their project proposal in the competition.

The ceremony took place during the first annual Mohawk Valley EDGE Locavore Dinner at the Resource Center for Independent Living, featuring a five course dinner made with locally grown foods.

Other finalists in the competition were Aqua Vita Farms and Joe's Jerky and Country Store, both in Sherrill, and Store Scan Shred of Rome.

According to EDGE Board Chairman, Laura Casamento, the competition is an excellent way to raise awareness of local business.

"Agribusiness in our region directly contributes $152 million to the local economy," Casamento said. "This event celebrates the small businesses of the region and reinforces that EDGE stands ready to work with local companies to help them succeed."

The winning company, Noble Wood Shavings, is a manufacturer of high quality wood shavings for the equine industry, using a multi-step process to create fluffy, absorbent shavings.