The Small Business Administration is sponsoring a forum in Honolulu next week to provide small businesses with information on tate, federal and local programs to help them cope with the economic slowdown.

“While many business owners wait for a return to a better business environment, others are analyzing and adapting to build a stronger company and emerge from the recession,” the SBA said in a news release.
The SBA’s “Re-invent, Re-think, and Re-Tool” Forum is set for 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. March 31 at the Small Business Resource Center, 1041 Nuuanu Ave.
Guests include U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i; Linda Smith, senior policy advisor for Gov. Linda Lingle; and Pearl Imada Iboshi, deputy director of the state Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Jane Sawyer, district director for the SBA’s Hawaii office will serve as moderator for the workshop.
Reservations can be made online at www.sba.gov/hi. For more information call 541-2990, ext. 203 or ext. 202.