Knowing Your Patch: Why Local Knowledge is an ED Superpower

In economic development, one of the most valuable assets you can cultivate isn’t a new funding stream or a glossy brochure – it’s knowledge. Real estate professionals often talk about their patch - a specific area they know inside out, where they focus their efforts to build trust and generate business. Economic developers can learn a lot from this approach. Your “patch” is the town, city, or region you serve. To be effective, you need to know it better than anyone else!

That means developing a comprehensive understanding of the local landscape. What are the strengths of your schools and colleges? Where are the workforce gaps, and what training programmes exist to fill them? How accessible is housing and what regeneration projects are underway? Beyond the basics, what leisure and cultural amenities make your place attractive to residents and investors alike? Transport links, retail, public facilities, places of worship, healthcare provision – every element contributes to your area’s quality of life and competitiveness.

This emphasis on deep local knowledge is especially important as Government pushes forward with devolution. In Sussex, this could mean the abolition of county, district and borough councils, with powers consolidated at regional level. While there are clear benefits to streamlined governance with wider powers, there’s also a risk: losing the local insight and on-the-ground connections that make economic development truly effective. In some areas, parish or town councils may fill the gap – but in others, they don’t exist, leaving communities under-represented.

Businesses considering relocation or expansion want clear, evidence-based answers. Effective place marketing and economic development start with knowing your patch – and safeguarding that knowledge will be more vital than ever as local government structures evolve. i will watch with interest!