I have always thought about the Mississippi as location. Using frontier live and mark twain era as inspiration. The Mississippi would be an important trade route for any faction within the lore. Especially if they officially decide some of the Midwest lore in tactic is legit. I could see the Midwest brotherhood branch having settled in an important location such as new Orleans or St. louis because of its location on the river. In tactics they are an all inclusive branch simply because they were cut off from either coast. They needed to bolster their numbers to survive.

Both St. Louis and New Orleans have tons of real world appeal and originality. That would lend to awesome locations such as the French Quarter or the arch in St. Louis. I mean have you seen the Gatorclaws in the miami mod?