They say we will be better off working through them, with the developers they have approached.Are we better assembling ourselves and working with a developer(s), rather than going through this middle man?

Biden is assembling his emergency thing because it's spreading across the world and the US needs to figure it self out or get left behind. 

This has been asked and answered many times.Ship to house or your cleaners.Have cleaners setup stuff or hire a handyman for stuff that needs to be assembled. 

Good luck assembling your team.

Up front assembly fees about 10%.   

I on one hand focus on local politics, because I can have a relationship with my state senator, assembly person, mayor and city council people. 

And no, assembly is not manufacturing, it's assembly. 

And am actively looking for a coach to guide me through (1) identify a market - city/state (2) assemble / shape a deal (3) execute the deal and (4) help orchestrate a onsite team to run my first MF.

Have you assembled this team yet?

If you're new to new build construction (or construction in general), I would get a local Architect onboard to be your eyes and ears in taking on the project and helping to assemble your team.