The Iowa Economic Development Authority's City Development Board has approved the City of Ames' annexation of land east of current city limits. After a month's delay, the board okayed the annexation of nearly 1,400 acres of land east of Interstate 35. The city, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Commission want to use the land for industrial expansion. The city will spend nearly $6 million to install water and sewer lines in the area. The annexed land is south of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and continues east to 590th Ave. Critics of the move say the city's spending money with no guarantee it will see a return on it's investment.