“It’s an attraction. Anytime you have an attraction, you bring people in, and people support the businesses, the restaurants, and the shops and so on. And that's the whole idea behind an arts district,” says EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund. “The arts can be a tool in helping the economic development and growth of a community.”

“It's so exciting to see our own coffee culture building in the community — because how many good things follow a cup of coffee, right? How many good things come after a morning conversation over some coffee? It is so, so cool that we're going to be getting that in our downtown. And especially with the people that are behind it all,” says Miguel Williams, owner-operator of Apothecary Espresso & Coffee.

The city's rich diversity is reflected in the vibrant mix of food businesses, plating up everything from Filipino favorites to popular Italian subs.

Marjie Jenkins coordinates a robotics education program, and sees the nonprofit as a way to remove some of the disparity between “the haves and have nots" in her county. With a focus on reducing STEM stigma and increasing gender parity in the field, she hopes to leave a legacy.