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.