I see people grow in two directions. Some grow upward, becoming manager, director, VP, etc. Others grow outward, branching into new technologies and disciplines, while remaining an IC.
Regardless of which direction you grow, I think give. enough time, the quality of your work will speak for itself.
I've watched too many people try to run the rat race of moving up the later. Staying at a job/role for only 18 months just to hop to the next thing. They lack depth in their area and eventually bottom out completely.
This is an opportunity to bring dollars and jobs to their state and the only reason they're resistant is to stick with party lines.