You can, as long as it’s not a protected class you’re discriminating against. You can say within X miles of your office. You can’t say you have to be a particular race.

You probably want to run it by a lawyer, cover your bases, write you up one of those terms and conditions leagaleze paragraphs you hear radio ads run through at inhuman speeds.

Trade secrets don’t get patented. They rely on the secret for protection. Part if the patent process is detailing exactly what and how the invention works.

They have a lot of protection, but take the details to a lawyer.

Probably better luck talking a local politician into helping make the situation better, whatever that situation is, than getting compensation.