This paper explores the impact of place on policy outcomes by examining the implementation of economic development policy in the East Midlands of England. To do so it poses two questions: does the East Midlands meet any of the criteria that might be used to define a region and does this matter for the implementation of policy. As states look to establish new areas to attract EU regional funds, the nature of a region needs to be considered carefully. The paper argues that the idea of functionality is key to the coherence of a region and the subsequent success or failure of policy initiatives at the regional level. Regions which lack economic, cultural, or political cohesion will struggle to build governance networks and attract the involvement of the public and private sectors in policy initiatives.