AUBURN – The Corporate and Community Services Department at Central Maine Community College will offer a free preview of its Small Business Institute program from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 4. The institute is designed to assist those wishing to start their own business. The preview is open to all at no cost; however, preregistration is required.

The institute is a six-part series that will run from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, from April 11 through May 16. The cost a session is $25, or $99 for the entire series. Topics will include “Understanding Tax and Legal Structure,” “Managing Cash Flow,” “Effective Marketing Strategies,” “Financing Your Small Business,” “Managing Your Small Business” and “Writing a Business Plan.”

The workshops will be presented by local experts Van Perry and Bob Kasputes. Perry is regional vice president for Northeast Bank, responsible for commercial loan development in Lewiston and Auburn. He has been in the commercial lending field for more than 16 years and has held positions at FAME, Farm Credit of Maine and Key Bank.

Kasputes is business counselor and center director for the Maine SBDC Service Center at Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments in Lewiston and Auburn. His areas of expertise include forecasting, capital asset purchasing, improving operational efficiency, negotiation and working with government and regulatory agencies.

He has managed accounting and operations for an $8 million grain storage, fertilizer and feed operation in Minnesota and founded Birdwatcher and Gardener Inc., a specialty retail business in Freeport.

To register for the preview or for more information about the institute, contact Jennifer Lyons, Corporate and Community Services Department, at 755-5280 or 1-800-891-2002, ext. 280, e-mail training@cmcc.edu or visit www.cmcc.edu/training. Space is limited and early registration is recommended.