I have a college friend who became a manager at a tech company in the middle of the country. On a tour of one of their facilities (while I was a college teacher) he handed me a card and told me to send him recommendations and resumes from my students. But at the end he added, "but not people from the coasts. They're never really willing to move here. They don't understand the salaries."

Even if you are willing to move and you do understand the salaries, convincing him is hard. He just has too much experience dealing with people who changed their mind after he paid to fly them in for interviews.

If you visited town and called him in person, he might believe you, but then again he might not.

Sorry I don't have more encouraging news.

Phil