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."

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