Karl,
It's inspiring to see your continuing commitment to the success of Access. In my experience, the decline of local Access User Groups probably predates the detour into "webifying" Access in 2010 and 2013 versions, although that did take Microsoft's eye off the ball, in some ways. Given the MS Access Team's reinvigoration of the product, it's timely for us to renew our own efforts to reinvigorate our local Access user groups.
One question that does come up with regard to doing that is whether such groups need the recognition and support of Microsoft and the Access Team. And, if that is the case, the follow-on question would be how to go about garnering that support.
George Hepworth
MS Access MVP-2007-2018