Business Visit: City of Vienna

On Friday, our group had the privilege of visiting with City of Vienna Mayor, Steve Penrod. Mayor Penrod shared his journey to public service, offering insight into what inspired him to run for mayor and the importance of patience when working toward long-term community progress. He emphasized that meaningful change often takes years, but the results are worth the investment.

Students also learned about several upcoming city projects, including how they are funded and the impact they will have on the community.

Following our discussion, the group toured the city’s water treatment plant. Troy Kerley walked students through the full process—from how water enters the facility, through each stage of filtration, to where it exits the plant. Mayor Penrod also highlighted future plans to update and improve the water plant as part of the city’s continued development.

Experiences like these provide valuable, real-world insight into leadership, infrastructure, and community growth.

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