Happy day...we hired out of state and while it will complicate our own tax filings by adding a state to apportion our income + work comp + other stuff, I found it to be much easier than I expected.  I was freaked out by the idea of a stranger having the keys to the kingdom, but all employees do, anyway, so what's the difference if they are here, or there? 

I'll be hiring again this month and am absolutely hiring remote.  To be frank, I think I can hire someone in another part of the country at a lower rate for the same expertise compared to what I pay here.  Just run your employment agreements past an attorney of competent jurisdiction so you don't run into any issues.