6ptsika
You are right the regional forums are not used much, I myself don't visit them often, because the way they are structured. When I log on to the West Forum (I'm from Colorado)I am stumped by the lack of topics pretaining to Colorado residents while, individual threads ie "Thread for Alaska by Alaskians" Alaska have numerous post. Which tells me at aleast Alaska residents need their own forum. Over at Refugeforums.com their flyway forums are broken down by states and have a loyal following. Maybe the same will work here. Possibly a combination of smaller regions and states?

there is no subsitute for quality