We are cementing our growth strategy as a local and regional builder and looking to grow into subdivision development so we control more land but wanted to seek advice in the forums about this. 

Check with your local credit union.

I believe it was because I had good track record with the the local lender, $25k cash in savings, and a property that appeared okay in photos.  

i feel like the local FB groups will not allow me to advertise my STR there because they would label it as "soliciting".. any way to get around this so that it doesn't look like i'm soliciting? 

I think you need to find a good local agent, network with investors(local meet ups, FB groups, etc) and learn more to dial in the gameplan. 

Local real estate Agent Michael Rush out of Saginaw.

Quote from @Morgan Leiviska: How I would build this database for you would be to connect with people at local meetups that you find.

My recommendation would be to start finding deals and working local REI meetups to see who you can run into. 

We hired a law firm to take them on.I have heard from many people that the reviews of people stating that they good experiences are them and 100% fake. 

Happy to answer any questions and always open to any advice local experts are willing to share.