Final answer:
State officials promoted development in New London to address economic difficulties from a naval facility’s closure, viewing it as a revitalization opportunity and a political advantage. This led to the contentious eminent domain case, Kelo v. City of New London.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state officials promoted development in New London due to the community’s economic struggles following the closure of a naval research facility. This was part of an effort to revitalize an area that had fallen on difficult times, which was also seen as an opportunity for Governor John Rowland to expand his political base.
The controversial case of Kelo v. City of New London stemmed from the use of eminent domain to facilitate this economic development, where private property was seized with the intent of providing a public benefit through economic growth, a move that the Supreme Court upheld as a permissible public use under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.