Kelo Redux

These articles crossed my desk this week.

Pfizer's Leaving – But New London Opportunities Remain

Pfizer to Leave City That Won Land-Use Case

A Turning Point for Eminent Domain?

Given all the hoopla that was stirred up when Kelo V. New London first happened, I am surprised there has not been more about this occurrence. Unfortunately for New London, and perhaps equally unfortunate for anyone in the economic development field, Pfizer's decision to pull out of New London casts a dark shadow over the eminent domain discussion.

As the "Turning Point" discussion points out, the Kelo decision was not about Pfizer. It was about the extent to which a community could pursue eminent domain proceedings to better a community. However, the Pfizer move is clearly an example of how tenuous economic development can be. Long ago the idea of corporate responsibility to a community started to lag and disappear. Corporate tax breaks and land deals have promoted a footloose and fancy free approach for most corporations that are driven more by a bottom line than being good economic citizens in a community. This example only tends to reinforce that notion.