Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship Launches as Independent Nonprofit

The College of Coastal Georgia is proud to announce a bold new chapter for the Art and Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship, which will transition from a College-affiliated initiative to an independent nonprofit organization focused on expanding its support of entrepreneurs throughout the Coastal Georgia region.

Originally founded through the generosity and vision of Art and Lindee Lucas, the Lucas Center was established at the College to cultivate entrepreneurial talent and help launch new ventures. Since its founding, the Center has provided critical support to aspiring business owners through boot camps, mentoring, pitch competitions, and real-world engagement — helping to launch dozens of businesses and inspiring countless students and community members.

To date, the Lucas Center has served more than 950 entrepreneurs. Its signature Idea Bootcamp was recognized among the top five programs globally for community engagement, and more than 50% of its participants go on to launch their own businesses. These outcomes reflect the Center’s strong commitment to real-world impact and the growing demand for entrepreneurial support across the region.

Now, true to its entrepreneurial spirit, the Lucas Center is taking the next step in its journey by becoming an independent entity. This evolution will allow it to expand operations, develop a dedicated business incubator and manufacturing space, and broaden its impact across the region.

“This is exactly what the Lucas Center was designed to do — inspire, equip, and empower entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Johnny L. Evans, Jr., president of the College of Coastal Georgia. “We’re proud to have been the launching pad for the Center and remain committed to supporting their success as they grow. We’ll continue to host pitch competitions and collaborate in ways that help our student entrepreneurs thrive.”

“Lindee and I are thrilled to see the Lucas Center step boldly into this next phase,” said Art Lucas. “From the beginning, our vision was to spark opportunity and help people turn their ideas into reality. Becoming an independent nonprofit expands the Center’s reach and impact in ways we always hoped for. We’re excited to see what the future holds for entrepreneurs across Coastal Georgia.”

The College of Coastal Georgia celebrates this exciting transition and remains deeply grateful for the role it played in establishing the Lucas Center’s foundation. The partnership between the two entities will continue, as both organizations remain united in their mission to advance innovation, opportunity, and economic growth throughout the region.