Business activity in Cherokee County picked up in February, but remains slower than the pace set in the first two months of last year.

There were 177 new business licenses issued throughout the county last month, up from 170 in January but down from 202 in February last year.

So far this year, there have been 347 new business licenses approved in the county, a drop off from 379 issued at this time in 2009.

Cherokee County's business license office issued 113 new licenses last month, down from 117 in January and 122 in February last year. The county has approved 230 new licenses so far this year, down from 243 at this time a year ago.

Nancy Tucker, co-owner of Coco's Cottage in the Hickory Flat community, in February opened her shop, which sells women's clothing, accessories and gifts. She said the community has even more opportunities for future businesses.

"This is a good area," she said. "I definitely think there is more possibility for growth here."

Pam Carnes, president of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said the growth in business starts is positive even if slight.

"The increase in business licenses can make one optimistic that they will employ people in the community," she said.

John West of Express Impressions, a member of the chamber's board of directors, said everything he sees in the local economy is good news.

"One hundred and seventy-seven business licenses is fairly strong," he said. "Businesses continue to open and thrive. That encourages people that may have wanted to begin a start-up to go ahead and do that."

Canton's business license department issued 19 new business licenses last month, an increase from nine in January, but down from 27 in February 2009. So far this year, the city has approved 28 permits, a drop from 43 at this point in 2009.

The business license office for Woodstock gave out 28 permits last month, slightly ahead of the 26 in January, but down from 45 in February 2009. The city has issued 54 new licenses so far this year, down from 71 by the end of last February.

Holly Springs' business license office filled 17 requests for new business licenses in February, up from 14 in January and seven in February of last year. So far this year, the city has issued 31 new licenses, up from 18 through February 2009.

The City of Ball Ground did not issue any new business licenses in February, down from four in January and one in February 2009. The city has issued four licenses so far this year, equal to the total at this point a year ago.

Neither the Waleska nor Nelson city governments have issued any permits so far this year. They also had not issued any at this point in 2009.