I absolutely think the region is high on the list of reasons they can't hire. They pay less for worse jobs at lamer companies and don't have money flowing to startups. Magic Leap was very much the exception, and it's kinda cool because it's there because the founder liked it, just like Shockley thought NorCal was dope.
And much like Shockley semi I think ML is a flash in the pan. But unlike Shockley Semi, Abovitz didn't hire an equivalent of the traitorous 8 because they already worked out here and got paid way more money to hang out at a FAANG or startup.
Everyone I'd want to work with from my time in South Florida is either out of the area or trying to leave. It pays like shit, and there is no money or companies down there to make cool shit to make up for it. Besides ML. But it appears that is shifting.