Joel Plaskett is an international award winning singer songwriter who has made Downtown Dartmouth his home since 2002. He was attracted by the balance and the charm of the place, which Joel says reminds him of his roots in rural Nova Scotia.

“What’s nice, is the slow climb,” he says. While Joel’s excited about the growth and development happening here, he believes it’s important to hold onto the community feeling you get when walking Downtown streets. Adding, “There’s a lot to work with and a lot of potential.”

“If you can see the big picture, Dartmouth is a place where you can build something.”

When it comes to Downtown Dartmouth as a place to create, Joel says, “The ability to create or be inspired partly comes from a level of familiarity and comfort.” In Joel’s eyes, Downtown Dartmouth is the kind of place that removes the things that make being creative a challenge, a place that makes you comfortable to be inspired.

Joel firmly believes the strength in a community like Downtown Dartmouth comes from finding common ground, getting to know your neighbours and recognizing that it takes all kinds. What’s really important to retain the inherent character, he says, is finding ways to help the people who need help while creating a communal source of pride.

There’s opportunity here, he says. “If you can see the big picture, Dartmouth is a place where you can build something.” Sing it, Joel. Sing it loud.