I had that feeling that I'd have to go postal. Seems that I can't
find a powder coating business within driving distance. Is there some
way that I'm missing to find businesses in my local?

Looks like it is going to be as local as possible and fedx/ups with
lots of emails or well planed trips to the big big small city. If it
has to be ship back and forth stuff, does it much matter on distance
if it is say 20 pounds? You know, I could almost ship it back and
forth from Hell A to Mississippi as well as across the state type of
thing.

What are the top online places for buying all kinds of parts for
building things? And ways to find places close.

In a big city I can find some of the things like scrap aluminum chunks
and stores with springs and cool fasteners, but in the sticks I can't
seem to find much at all.

SW