The number of newly licensed businesses in New York state is up 3 percent over the year, state officials reported on March 17.

The state licensed and registered 10,524 new corporations or entities last month, or 302 more than in February 2009, said New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.

One of the largest increases came in the ranks of newly licensed security guards. The state licensed 2,489 of them in February, more than double the total for February 2009 - 1,185 security guards.

"Just as the economy continues to show modest improvements, we've been seeing modest increases in the number of businesses registered with the state over the same period a year ago," said Cortés-Vázquez, who said the data was encouraging.

The Secretary of State's office is responsible for licensing and regulating a wide range of professions, including barber shops, real estate brokers, coin dealers, telemarketers and pet cemeteries.