A new tally that shows 173 design-related firms in South End might provide more information than just who's there.

"It shows that Charlotte qualifies as an emerging design city," said developer Tony Pressley, president of MECA Properties. "It shows we are creating a new vertical economy at a time so many communities are seeking out these creative businesses to offset job losses."

The total is up from 125 just six months ago, but Pressley said that's probably due in part to refinement of the survey and better response from businesses.

His firm helped trigger the redevelopment surge along South Boulevard in South End more than a decade ago and most recently created The Design Center of the Carolinas there.

The 200,000-square-foot complex covers a block of Worthington Avenue and includes the old Nebel Knitting Mill and two other former industrial buildings.

Design-related businesses counted in the most recent survey are listed in the "Visitors Guide to Charlotte's Design District," published by Builders Graphics & Productions in cooperation with MECA and the Design Center.

Among businesses in the guide are home accessories suppliers, interior designers, architects, advertising firms, photographers, technology companies, product showrooms and art galleries.

They are scattered throughout South End -- South Boulevard, Hawkins Street, Tryon Street, Camden Road, etc. -- but the "epicenter," as Pressley calls it, is The Design Center.

Growth of design-related firms in South End during trying economic times shows "there is another whole chapter to the book" of business recruiting, he said.

Pressley said he has talked with Charlotte Chamber officials about getting word out on South End's success to attract more such firms.

His company has enough land to add another 200,000 square feet to the Design Center.

"I don't think we've even scratched the surface here," Pressley said. "By comparison, The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center is 10 to 15 times larger."

The chamber hasn't launched any initiatives to recruit more design-related firms, but the concentration of such companies in South End is important to Charlotte, said Terry Orell, the chamber's chief business recruiter.

"The wide variety of design businesses -- all in one location -- offers a great single source for a multitude of technical and designer capabilities that provide value to Charlotte residents," he said.

In 1995, South End leaders could identify only 30 design-related businesses operating in the district.

Judging from the continuing demand for space in South End, Pressley said, the number of design-related businesses increased since last summer's survey, but probably not by 48 as the recent tally indicates.

Not every business was counted in the initial survey, and not everyone understood the guidelines for being included, he said.

The higher total this time can be attributed in part, he said, "to cleaning it up" and making clearer which businesses qualify as design-related.

Also, Pressley said, the new listings -- on the suggestion of participants -- specify which firms are business-to-business and which are open to the public.

He said about 6,000 copies of the design-district guide -- which includes a locator map of listed firms -- were printed and delivered to South End offices, shops and restaurants for distribution to the public.

The publishers plan to update the eight-page guide three or four times a year and redistribute it, he said.

Pressley said one of the most important uses of the guide is helping neighboring businesses in South End network and do business with each other.