New-Business Incorporations Post Nice Gain

The number of new businesses that incorporated in Orange County rose 6.1% in the first quarter, an information services firm reported.

A total of 1,711 new county businesses registered with the secretary of state during the first three months of the year, up from 1,612 a year earlier, according to CDB Infotek.

Statewide, new incorporations rose 2.1% to 14,464, CDB said.

The growth in Orange County also outpaced that of Southern California as a whole, where incorporations were up 3.8% in the first quarter.

John Karevoll, a CDB analyst, said the county’s rising level of incorporations reflects the general growth of the economy.

Business incorporations in the county peaked in the mid-’80s, Karevoll said. They began tapering off in the late 1980s, hitting a low point in the recession years of 1990 and 1991. Since then they’ve steadily climbed back as the economic climate has improved. Last quarter’s total was the highest since the fourth quarter of 1989.

Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com