As a resident of Norman for 12 years, I have seen Norman grow dramatically in population and in the retail sector. However, it seems that Norman has a hard time recruiting high paying jobs or major corporations to relocate to the area. In the past, I know the NEDC gave a great effort for the PETCO relocation of over 500 high paying jobs to only lose them to San Antonio. But it seems NEDC and City of Norman are focused more on retail development, and public improvements, rather than recruiting high paying jobs.

Outside of the University of Oklahoma job sector, graduating students have a hard time finding high paying jobs, which would keep those students in Norman, to live and grow families. The key to successful economic growth of a city is the access to good jobs.

Is it just me, or should the City of Norman and NEDC focus on the development of high paying jobs? Or should Norman always remain a college town, bedroom city, a typical suburb?