A city commissioner and president of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Sandra Wilson spends a large part of her day thinking about her home city and what she can do to help make it a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Thanks to its variety of restaurants and shops, its arts and crafts scene, and its widening industrial base, Paducah has a lot going for it. And Wilson’s eager for the city to continue its growth and to make inroads with young professionals and the next generation of Kentuckians.

“We work to continually improve Paducah because we want others to love it as much as we do,” she said.

Wilson’s devotion to her home city’s quality of life is a big reason why she’s a fan of KET. As Kentucky’s only statewide public television network, KET keeps Paducah and neighboring communities connected to the Commonwealth through its programs and resources that give viewers a fascinating window into Kentucky’s history, people and places.

KET gives you diverse insight into the things that are happening around the state and not just in your backyard.

Sandra Wilson, president, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce

“I can’t tell you enough about how much we appreciate everything that KET does for Paducah,” Wilson said. “You not only get a diverse snapshot of what’s happening around the Commonwealth, you’re also learning about Kentucky’s history – and so many of those hometown stories are just priceless.”

Bordered by Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee, Paducah’s location amid a patchwork of different media markets often means media outlets carry limited news about what’s happening throughout the rest of Kentucky, Wilson said. But with KET, and its public affairs programs like Kentucky Edition and Kentucky Tonight, Wilson says residents can stay on top of Kentucky’s news.

“It’s important to be informed, of course, not only about what’s going on in your local community but also the wider state,” she said. “KET gives you diverse insight into the things that are happening around the state and not just in your backyard.”

Additionally, through KET’s coverage of the state legislature as well as townhall-style forums, Kentuckians can stay educated about the Commonwealth’s economic and workforce development issues — topics that are near and dear to Wilson, who said she keeps a computer running with KET’s legislative coverage in the background throughout the day.

“Let’s face it, every community needs more workers and more housing,” she said. “There are a lot of things that all communities have in common, so I think it’s great that KET creates a venue for community leaders to come together and share ideas. And Renee Shaw – I can’t say enough about how great she is – she always does a marvelous job moderating. She makes you feel like she’s right there in your living room with you.”

And KET’s balanced, non-partisan coverage, she adds, explores a diversity of viewpoints, fostering a spirit of cooperation.

“There are so many things that we can do to learn about our community and make us feel more at home,” Wilson said. “And KET definitely plays an important part in this, reaching across the aisle so we can understand each other a little better. As someone who’s driven to make my community the best it can be, those are the kinds of things that help us all feel connected.”