CANTON — While fewer businesses around Cherokee County were granted permits to open for customers in May, local business leaders remain optimistic about the economy.

May saw 95 business licenses issued throughout Cherokee County, which is down from 124 granted in April and 159 issued in May 2011. The year-to-date figure also lags behind, with 757 permits issued in 2012. There were 980 permits granted by the end of May 2011.

The Cherokee County Development Services Center, which serves unincorporated Cherokee, had 70 licenses granted last month, down from 77 in April and 111 in May 2011. The county has issued 514 licenses this year, down from 804 at the same point last year.

Pam Carnes, president and CEO of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said the downward trend is surprising.

“Just when the economy feels different, the numbers show that the difference isn’t as positive as we would like,” she said.

However, Carnes said the decrease is the opposite of what her office is seeing. The chamber has recruited 20 additional members since May 14.

Carnes pointed out that activity is hotter in the spring because “we are usually more motivated in the spring versus the winter months.” She also said the summer months generally lag behind because prospective entrepreneurs are typically preoccupied with family trips and summer vacation.

Ball Ground, Waleska and Nelson did not issue any licenses in May. Ball Ground issued three licenses in April and two in May 2011. The city so far this year has granted nine licenses, down from 16 issued last year. Waleska and Nelson have not issued any licenses this year. Waleska issued one license by the end of May last year, but Nelson did not.

Holly Springs only issued two licenses in May, down from six in April and 10 in May 2011. The city has issued 27 licenses this year, down considerably from 68 approved by the close of May 2011.

Canton issued 10 licenses in May, down slightly from 13 issued in April and 21 in May 2011. The county seat has issued 54 licenses in 2011, also down from 75.

Woodstock approved 13 requests in May, down from 15 in May 2011. The city has granted 111 licenses this year, up from 107 at the close of last year.

For Nicole Flint, owner of Collective Co-op, downtown Woodstock is “now the place to be,” which is why she decided to open up shop on East Main Street. Collective Co-op is a local handmade market where artists are able to sell their items to the public.

Items and services at the market include jewelry, kid’s apparel, handbags, monogramming, skin care, art, paint, baked goods, dog collars, home decor and gifts.

Flint said about 27 artists and designers are on board selling their items. Since opening, Flint said business is going good.

She said the city’s June 9 installment of its Summer Concert Series featuring Blackberry Smoke and the June 1 Friday Night Live event helped draw attention to her new storefront. She also said her store will be the venue for classes and workshops hosted by local artists.

“You have the opportunity to meet the artisan that’s made the good or product,” she said.

Flint, 29, said she’s excited about being in downtown Woodstock. She said the city is not only thriving, but also has a great benefit of having merchants who are welcoming to newcomers.

“The city has done a great job in promoting small businesses,” she said. “We have a great support system between all the local entrepreneurs.”

List of new businesses in Cherokee County for May: 

Canton

AGA LLC

210 Oakside Lane Suite C

Bojangles’

1665 Ball Ground Highway

Cherokee Angels Senior Care

2442 Marietta Highway Suite 100

Diva Dolls, LLC

1431 RiverStone Parkway Suite 140

Dreamkey Group, LLC

121 East Main St.

H & A Sales

261 Marietta Road

Haste Waste

3755 Cherokee Overlook Drive

Legacy Roofing Systems, Inc.

1039 Marietta Road

McKenzie Construction

6306 River Ridge Drive

Romeo’s NY Pizza

1453 RiverStone Parkway Suite 130

Cherokee County

ACS Alliance Construction Services, LLC

Home-based business

Affordable Access Modifications LLC

Home-based business

Atlanta Tiling and Roofing Company

Home-based business

Ava Moore Photography, Inc.

Home-based business

Bates Recycling

Home-based business

Best Ice Cream On Wheels

Home-based business

BMW Interiors, LLC

Home-based business

Bright Metals Company LLC

Home-based business

Bullfrog’s Custom Fabrication

Home-based business

Cadecourt2 Designs, LLC

Home-based business

Carla Porche LLC

Home-based business

Catalina Enterprises, LLC

Home-based business

Covered Roofing, LLC

Home-based business

Datastor Plus, Inc.

Home-based business

Delta Billboards, LLC

130 Old Cumming Drive Canton

DemRose Management

Home-based business

Diversified Systems A-1

Home-based business

Double J Kennels

Home-based business

Elizabeth Borgschulte

5500 Bells Ferry Rd Acworth

Epic Facility Solutions of Georgia, LLC

Home-based business

Four Seasons Roofing & Repair, Inc.

Home-based business

Freshly Squeezed Social Media, LLC

Home-based business

Grace Commercial Services

Home-based business

Grant Scapes

Home-based business

Green Express, LLC

Home-based business

Halmeg LLC

Home-based business

Hardcore Roofing Inc.

Home-based business

Heather Fowler

Home-based business

Helen Norman Antiques

5500 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

Hooper Accounting Service

Home-based business

In Their Honor Transports, Inc.

Home-based business

Integrated Pest & Animal Control

Home-based business

Inx International Ink Co.

Home-based business

J. Miguel Photography LLC

Home-based business

Jeremy S. Dean

Home-based business

Jewel Atkins’ Jewels by Inspiration

Home-based business

Juan R. Marquez

Home-based business

Judy Putman

5500 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

Karen Lance

2288 Marietta Highway Canton

L.A.T. Sportswear, INC.

4850 Ball Ground Highway Ball Ground

Laurenda Guilford

Home-based business

Longoria’s Five Star Fencing

Home-based business

Magic Interiors

Home-based business

Massage Matters , LLC

Home-based business

Milton Lee Motorsports Insurance Agency, Inc.

12122 Cumming Highway Canton

MSI Metals LLC

Home-based business

Neese Pine Straw Inc.

Home-based business

NTB No. 893

2010 Eagle Drive Woodstock

Nancy Baggerly

Home-based business

P & J Real Estate INC

Home-based business

Pettway Services Enterprise LLC

Home-based business

Pitstop Trading, LLC dba Sixes Chevron

125 Sixes Road Woodstock

Pressure Washing Effects

Home-based business

Professional Compliance Assistance, Inc.

7851 Hickory Flat Highway Woodstock

S & D Gems

Home-based business

Savtronix Inc

Home-based business

Second Chance Thrift & More

Home-based business

Sharp Solution, Inc.

Home-based business

Sommerset Property Maintenance LLC

Home-based business

Southern Tree Management

Home-based business

Squeaky Clean Detailing

10138 Main St. Woodstock

Studio Eleven Shop, LLC

1105 Parkside Lane Woodstock

Susan B. Mirabella

97 Grove Park Lane Woodstock

Synecure Accounting, LLC

Home-based business

Team Effort Construction, LLC

Home-based business

The Groovy Turtle, LLC

Home-based business

The JDI Group, LLC

Home-based business

Thomas D. Schall II

Home-based business

Untold Treasures Estate Sales

Home-based business

Xtimulate

Home-based business

Holly Springs

Aquarium Solutions, LLC

200 Moore Valley Way

Music and Dance Academy of Woodstock

6238 Old Highway 5 C-3

Woodstock

Court Sports & Fitness Gear, LLC

4046 River Rock Way

Werner Pediatric Dentistry

250 Parkbrooke Place No. 250

Horizon Residential Services

400 Churchhill Court Suite 1002

My Backyard Builder

100 Willow Creek Lane Apartment 203

The Funky Paintbrush

9550 Main St. Suite 150

Global Safety Medics, LLC

224 Creekstone Ridge

Collective Co-Op, LLC

105 East Main St. Suite 126

Salon Gloss, LLC

220 Chambers St.

Patsy R Barile

8720 Main St.

Rebecca Beth Cruz

208 Etowah Way

LPS Water Solutions, LLC

104 Whirlaway Place

Karen Shortridge

451 Mountain View Lane

Amerispec Inspection Services

1600 River Park Blvd. Unit 101