Business activity in Cherokee County is running just behind last year's pace one month into 2010.

Local governments issued 170 new business licenses in January, as compared to 176 in January 2009.

Ben Looper, chairman-elect of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said activity could be slowed some by talk of budget cuts at the state level, creating an atmosphere of uneasiness.

"When money was more plentiful, banks were more willing to lend money," said Looper, owner of Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, adding the state of Georgia's budget is leading to a "general feeling of concern."

The number of licenses in January did jump from 135 issued in December, which chamber President Pam Carnes sees as "phenomenal."

"It shows optimism and potential for the year," she said. "It is Cherokee's way of fighting back against a tough economy."

The county business license office, which serves unincorporated Cherokee, approved 117 new licenses last month, up from 102 in December, but down slightly from 121 in January of last year.

Elizabeth Chester of Woodstock in January moved her business, Maddy Moo Creations (www.maddymoo.com), a direct-sales handbag company, from Paulding County to Bascomb Commercial Parkway near Woodstock.

"I have seen a lot of different things going up in the area," she said of business growth in Cherokee. "People are trying to do some things. That is positive."

Holly Springs filled 14 new license requests last month, up from seven in December and 10 in January of last year.

The Woodstock city government issued 26 new licenses last month, an increase from 17 in December and equal to the number in January 2009.

Canton approved nine new licenses last month, equal to the total in December, but down from 16 in January 2009.

Ball Ground issued four licenses last month, up from none in December and three in January of last year.

The cities of Waleska and Nelson did not issue any licenses last month or in December or January 2009.