Executive Director
Originally from Tazewell County, VA, Amelia Bandy is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director of Economic Development Greater East. EDGE creates solutions for economic revitalization and health improvement in McDowell County and southwest Virginia. Having grown up in the region, Amelia is driven to address the region’s intersecting health dilemmas.
She is also an opioid and addiction educator for eight counties in Southwest Virginia through Virginia Tech University Cooperative Extension. She is a community organizer and advocate who initiated a health and wellness coalition, helped start a farmer’s market and worked on entrepreneurial farm-to-table projects in Southwest Virginia. Amelia also founded the Central Appalachian Faith Collective, an collaborative organization aimed at addressing land ownership in the region.
EDGE co-founder
Originally from McDowell County, West Virginia, US Army veteran Jason Tartt. Sr. operates T&T Organics, LLC in McDowell County, WV. He has been farming for 13 years.
Tartt brings business and operations management and development to the table. He gained experience in this field from his career as a government subcontractor where he was heavily involved in contract bids, negotiations, and execution for the Department of Defense. He possesses extensive management experience, is highly skilled in employee development, and is known as an excellent team builder.
Tartt mentors EDGE AgForce program participants extensively, advocates for entrepreneurship and small business ownership and has formed strong partnerships with communities for a rural to urban resource exchange. Tartt acts as the Appalachian Regional Food Business Center Program Manager, providing necessary technical assistance to budding producers.
Tartt is also on the Community Advisory Council for the Invest Appalachia Fund.
Board Member & Secretary
Concord University
Board Member
Bread for the World
Board Member
Executive Director – South Central Educational Development
Board Member
FAMU/FSU College of Engineering – Director of Community Engagement – RIDER Center
Board Member
West Virginia Natural Resource Conservation Services
EDGE prioritizes health, place, livelihood, and nutrition to lead land and community reclamation in Appalachia.
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