PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A positive day for Portsmouth and people with disabilities.

The non-profit Eggelston celebrated the grand opening of a new industrial laundry facility that is giving jobs and hope to many.

“I hate doing my own … but I don’t mind doing it for the military,” said employee Andrew Statz. 

The opening of the new plant located at 710 7th Street means new jobs for 60 people with disabilities.  

The mega machines will put out 7 million pounds of laundry per year.

“We could probably do your laundry for a whole year in about 30 minutes,” said laundry supervisor, Akilah Cooper.

Their big client is the military, and those working on those contracts will earn $10.60 an hour come January 1, 2019.

“So health insurance, retirement those are all paid benefits people have because we’re doing federal work,” said Eggleston CEO Paul Atkinson.

The facility will also house Eggleston’s C3 program, which works to end homelessness in Portsmouth by providing jobs and services to those in need.

It’ll also provide jobs to disabled veterans through the newly created program “Warrior Bridge.”