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WESTLAKE — The chief executive of New York-based Deloitte L.L.P., one of the nation’s largest accounting and consulting firms, said Wednesday that following through with plans to build a $300 million training facility during the worst recession in 50 years is actually "a bullish and smart move."
"Make no mistake, when this recession ends the war for talent will resume, and when it does, Deloitte University will be a big differentiator and powerful draw," CEO Barry Salzberg told the group at the groundbreaking for the firm’s training and conference facility in Westlake."It’s almost the perfect time for us to do this," he said. "The whole philosophy of building a learning and development facility like we’re doing is to make sure it’s embedded in our culture in good times or bad."Deloitte announced the project a little more than a year ago. It is likely one of only a few projects of this size being built in North Texas at this time. The company says it is using cash rather than debt.The 750,000-square-foot facility will have 800 guest rooms, multiple conference spaces and classrooms, dining areas, a ballroom, a business center, recreation facilities and a fitness center.The facility, on 107 acres in Hillwood’s Circle T Ranch development, is set to open in late 2011.It is expected to draw more than 40,000 visitors a year, create 100 jobs for Deloitte and 400 other operations jobs. It’s also expected to generate about 1,000 jobs during construction.In addition to employee training and meetings, the facility will handle new employee orientation and recruiting.Salzberg said that through continuing education, "our people will become smarter; they’ll become more networked; they’ll be able to brainstorm more, think out of the box for new ideas and new services." Deloitte has about 1,300 employees in Fort Worth, Dallas and Irving.SANDRA BAKER, 817-390-7727
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