SANDY — Utah Jazz owner and car dealer Larry Miller wants to clone the American dream.
The "laboratory" that aims to do just that officially opened Friday as Miller shared his dream of allowing anyone, no matter their ability to pay, an opportunity to get business education at the Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Training Center.
"I have yet to talk and discuss details with the college administration, but I hope this new facility can welcome everyone," Miller said in a surprise announcement. "It is my dream that nobody be denied access to this, even if they cannot afford it."
Miller gave the 37,000-square-foot center and its land, located at 9750 S. 300 West, to Salt Lake Community College. To avoid government red tape, Miller built and designed the $10 million center and then donated it to the college. Miller hopes for another eight educational buildings in the area during the next five to 10 years. The building, which took 15 months to build, joins the nearby Jordan Commons project.
"This building is about helping preserve the elements of free enterprise and exercise the preservation of it for subsequent generations," Miller said.
Along with classroom training, the center will host events, workshops and distance education training opportunities. Several Salt Lake Community College continuing and community education departments, including the college's entrepreneurship center, will be housed at the center. The Larry H. Miller Group also will take advantage of the staff and facilities for training its employees.
"This is a coming together of both an entrepreneur who has a dream and a community college that knows where it is going. There's not a better community college in the nation that is more involved in the community and is actively engaged in making this a better place," said Utah Board of Regents Chairman Charlie Johnson.
The design of the building includes a 10,000-square-foot conference room and 15 meeting areas as well as two high-tech classrooms and two computer labs. Gateway Corp. donated 60 computers and networking equipment.
"Words can't express his support, vision, help, understanding, interest and love and not only of the business world, but the ability to rise above to create and build a center for his love of learning, students and young people," said Salt Lake Community College President Frank Budd.
SLCC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Bonnie Jean Beasley said Miller not only offered a helping hand, but the financial resources, time and his creative thought to build the center.