I would love to connect with the locals! 

Local product is cheap since no import tariff.  

If you are searching for offmarket, you can network with local wholesalers, and also use something like dealmachine to generate leads.

You're best bet is to call a few brokers local to the area and see what they can come up with.It's definitely going to be a surplus or excess carrier that will do it and the premiums will be high. 

I'm a local real estate broker working in the Cincinnati and Dayton Markets.

In any case, I thing your investment are pretty solid and should earn you something between a decent return all the way to a spectacular return depending on the local economic situation.  

Attend the local and regional Real Estate meetups.

I had a real estate agent here local that probably sold 15 or so of our properties over a number of years.

I think the borrower is better off trying a local bank or broker in that area.

And the best way to start networking is here on BP and attending your local REIA meetings IMO.