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A leading indicator of an improving local economy may be the number of new business licenses issued by the city of Sandy Springs in the first half of 2012. During those six months, the city issued 26 percent more licenses than in the same period last year. In all, 504 new businesses applied for and received licenses between January and June, compared to 399 in 2011.
Businesses devoted to looking good lead the pack. Of the new businesses, 44 were barber and beauty shops or nail salons. There were 21 businesses in the building industry, combining residential, commercial and industrial construction. New restaurants totaled 17. Another 16 licenses went to interior designers.