This is what I was going to say, myself. If you want top talent you have to pay for it. Period. Even if the job is unpleasant, money can solve the problem.

This is what I was going to say, myself. If you want top talent you have to pay for it. Period. Even if the job is unpleasant, money can solve the problem. "Reasonable rates considering local cost of living" doesn't sound at all enticing. The problem is compounded by the fact that you can work remotely for a SV company and get a comparatively high rate. If someone were talented and "stuck" in a flyover state, why would they work for this company compared to working remotely for a SV company?