"Those that don't fit in the traditional box." That quote by Tulsa Mayor Taylor goes to the heart of why it is so hard to attract help for truly traditional businesses. "Traditional" now defines companies are are doing research into life sciences or building an enterprise Internet applications, instead of small manufacturers, transportation companies, energy industry suppliers, even coffee shops, drycleaners and florists.

I met with UCO earlier this year and offered to help fund an incubator that would support start-up companies through student research, investor capital accumulation, board development, but I've heard nothing but crickets.