TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says a record number of new businesses filed paperwork with his office last year.

Kobach says his office received about 15,000 filings for new business entities in 2012, up about 10 percent from the previous year.

The figure includes for-profit corporations, limited partnerships and nonprofit corporations. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not required to file with the secretary of state's office to do business in Kansas.

Kobach says entrepreneurship is "healthy" in Kansas. His office compiled a 15-page report on business filings over the past decade.

University of Kansas economist Art Hall says the pace of business startups shows the possibility of stronger economic growth.