Nuclear thermal rockets

According to Jim Dewar, a guest on a recent Space Show, there's a lot of economic potential for nuclear thermal rockets.  What would it take to get this started?  To speculate a bit, I'd say the following:

1. The government must not interfere nor prohibit
2. Somebody with very deep pockets will have to finance it
3. If you get this far, then start hiring the people who can make this happen
4. Develop a business plan which will exploit the technology for profit
5. Execute the plan

Seems pretty straightforward.  I have come to the conclusion that nothing will get done in space unless the government gets out of the way and allows a visionary person, like Paul Allen, who will finance a project like it, such as  his Stratolaunch project.