"The groundwork has been laid for that," Beth Shrader said. In response to a question from chamber President Rex Richards, Shrader said the city is open to annexing land to the north and to the south along Ind. 49. Coming Sunday, take a Ride with Justin Dyer, a Specialist with LaPorte Police. Any expansion to the northwest would be primarily residential, while growth to the northeast would be a combination of commercial and residential, Shrader said. Expansion to the south would make way for commercial and industrial uses, she said. The city would be careful to maintain its current balance of these various uses if expanding its borders, Shrader said.