The case originated with a development project in the Fort Trumbull area of New London, a small city in Connecticut. The neighborhood had fallen on difficult economic times in the 1990s after the closure of a naval research facility. City officials and others hoped to revitalize it. The administration of Republican Governor John Rowland hoped to expand his political base by promoting development in New London; but to avoid having to work directly through the heavily Democratic city government, they helped resuscitate the long-moribund New London Development Corporation, a private nonprofit organization established to aid the city with development planning. –"The story behind Kelo v. City of New London," Ilia Somin What caused state officials to promote development in New London? the community's economic struggles a desire to expand on a strong economy the planned opening of a new military base interest in strengthening ties with city officials