Well Bill sounds like a DEAD ZONE for your services down there ..
thru the years I have done many gigs at the Grand Hotel in CM and a few other private affairs close by...but I'd say as you mentioned if you want to gig you might have to travel a bit further. Have you tried advertising the route in the papers etc, or try Direct Mailing a nice pro PR package, pictures, demos, calendars, etc, with followup phone calls for each one?.. ..... this has worked for me in the past also.?
Is gigging financial or personal enjoyment for you at this time in you life?
Or maybe playing with other people who are established already where you live might get you some work & contacts also, look in the musicians classifieds, or advertisements in music stores.....

Good Luck