Businesses in the Parry Sound Area Industrial Park are bracing for hikes in their base rates for water and sewer in July. The new rates, which will be almost double the base rate, mean an approximate increase of $2,000 annually for larger companies and about $600 for smaller firms. The industrial park costs Parry Sound and surrounding townships about $20,000 a year to operate and, although water and sewer base rates have increased 10 per cent over the past two years, it's not enough to cover operating costs, officials say. The park's board is studying alternatives to either sell, lease or continue operations in a more cost-effective manner.