By Lindsay Raychel.

A 1.7 million dollar project has been completed in downtown Binghamton.


The Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc., or AVRE, unveiled their new copy paper sheeter machine Wednesday.


AVRE produces copy paper which is sold to federal, state and local market places. It currently employs 55 legally blind people at it's Court Street location. Those employees said they are excited about the positivity this new machine brings to their facility.


Chief Machine Operator, Mark Foster said, "I feel honored that they chose me to do it. I'm glad they have the confidence in me and it's given me a boost financially, mentally, physically, everything. It's a good feeling to know they have that kind of confidence in me."


Employees said the new machine has a higher efficiency rate with production and has created more than 8 new jobs positions.