The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) announced today that it is working with several Georgia communities as they join 80 cities in 32 states for the first ever National Day of Civic Hacking.  The event brings together citizens, software developers, and entrepreneurs to collaboratively ‘ hack” or create new solutions using publicly-released data, code and technology at events all across the nation.  

The term "hack" started in World War II when pilots would return to carriers with beat up planes at the end of each day and mechanics would hack them back together with whatever materials they could find.  Civic Hacking uses that same creative ingenuity to make communities into happier, better functioning places. In Georgia, hundreds of “Civic Hackers” and local government and community groups are expected to come together  during the weekend event to tackle local issues from across the state:

• ATLANTA

Random Hacks of Kindness will represent the city's National Day of Civic Hacking event and will feature hacking contests, food, prizes, a civic party and more. The fun begins 8: 00 AM Saturday, June 1^st at Technology Square which is located  at 75 Fifth Street, NW in Midtown Atlanta.  In addition  to TAG, the event is organized by the Random Hacks of Kindness (RHoK),Google, Careerbuilder, Mailchimp, Socrata, ATDC and NeadWerx, Inc,.  Local community sponsors include:  GTRI, ShootProof, Kwanza Hall, Startup Georgia, Invest Atlanta,Hypepotamus, Open Atlanta, Public Design Workshop, Govathon and Startup Atlanta.  

• ATHENS

Hack For Athens will represent the city's National Day of Civic Hacking event with Secretary of State Brian Kemp speaking at the kickoff on Saturday June 1st at 10:00 AM.

The event will be held at the Chicopee Complex, 1180 E Broad Street, and sponsored locally byBlack Box Operations and FourAthens. 

• AUGUSTA

The Super Happy Block Party, Augusta’s National Day of Civic Hacking event, will begin on Saturday, June 1st at 1:00 PM. The event will take place in the 800 block of Augusta’s  Broad Street in Downtown and is sponsored locally by TAG Greater Augusta, Hack Augusta ,theClubhou.se, The Angelo Group and Georgia Regents University.

• COLUMBUS

Columbus National Day of Civic Hacking  events will start at 12:00 PM Saturday, June 1^stthru June 2^nd at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center on the campus Columbus State University.  The address for the event is 701 Front Avenue in Columbus and is sponsored locally by TAG Columbus,  the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and Columbus State University.

• DAWSONVILLE

Dawsonville Maker Day will feature contests for Hacking and a Maker Faire of local and regional crafts, 3D printers, art work and experiments. The fun starts on 11:00am to 3:00pm Saturday, June 1,  at the Dawson County Library located at 342 Allen Street in Dawsonville  Georgia.

TAG is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Dawson County Development Authority.

• MACON/MIDDLE GEORGIA

Middle Georgia events will feature a presentation of challenges from local leaders, a brainstorming session and civic hacking.  The event starts at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 1^st  at the Mercer, Science and Engineering Building, Peyton Anderson Auditorium, 1680 College Street,  in Macon.   The winner of the Civic Hacking activities will be selected Sunday, June 2^nd.  In addition to TAG Middle Georgia, the event is sponsored locally by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Mercer University and the College Hill Alliance.

• SAVANNAH

National Day of Civic Hacking Savannah will be held  Saturday, June 1, 2013 - 12:00 PM to Sunday, June 2, 2013 - 5:00 PM at ThincSavannah, located at 35 Barnard St.

The event features App Demonstrations and Brainstorm sessions and is sponsored locally byTAG Savannah and The Creative Coast.

“Civic hackers are engineers, software developers, designers, entrepreneurs, activists, and concerned citizens who collaborate with the government and others to invent ways to improve quality of life in their communities,” said Tino Mantella, TAG President and CEO. “TAG is proud to unite Georgia’s technology community and I strongly urge Augusta’s best and brightest to participate in this endeavor.”

Additional information on hacking challenges across the nation can also be found at:http://www.hackforchange.org/challenges