Jakarta (ANTARA) - Mornings in Mekargalih Village, Garut, West Java, typically begin with the sound of vehicles passing toward the small industrial estate on the village's outskirts.

On the same road, groups of young people walk together to their workplaces. Some of them are still very young, having graduated from high school only a few years ago.

Others carry lunch from home. Amidst the clusters of houses and the rice fields that surround the village, a factory stands, gradually becoming a natural part of the local residents' lives.

Since it began its operations in 2018, the factory of the convenience food brand Ciomy has presented new dynamics in the village. For some, the presence of industry is often synonymous with large and rapid change.

However, in Mekargalih, the story unfolds a more gradual process, as industrial activity begins to intertwine with the community's economic life.

Inside the production area, the vast majority of workers are from Garut. More than 90 percent of the employees are local residents, with over 30 percent coming directly from Mekargalih Village and its surrounding areas.

For a village that previously heavily relied on agriculture and small-scale trade, the job opportunities from the factory created new doors for many families.

More than half of the workers are in the 19-23-year age bracket. They represent a young generation that might have previously imagined having to migrate far from home to find work, but now could secure a job in their own hometown.

For their families, the chance to work close to home represents more than just a paycheck; it is about the hope that their children can build a future without having to leave their roots behind.

Outside the factory, other economic activities are also gradually growing. Food stalls providing meals for employees have begun to spring up.

Several home-based businesses that previously only served the immediate neighborhood now have an additional market from the factory's operations.

Some local MSME players are even routinely involved in meeting the company’s operational needs.

They provide meals for employees as well as other necessities related to production activities. Simple collaborations like these are creating new opportunities for small businesses around the village.

There are also other social activities that have a positive impact on the residents' economy, such as a program that distributes snacks to mosques around the factory every Friday.

These snacks are purchased from residents who run home-based businesses. For the families operating these small ventures, the program provides extra income while helping their products gain wider recognition.

The local economy

In villages, such activities could have a significant impact. The local economy does not always move through large transactions, but through a network of daily activities involving many people.

At the same time, industrial growth brings challenges that must be addressed carefully. When a factory is established in a region, a common concern that emerges is its impact on the environment and agricultural land.

In regions like Garut, which still has a strong agrarian tradition, this issue is significant for the community.

To mitigate the impact on farmland, measures have been taken to purchase rice fields in other areas to serve as replacement land. This land is then managed by involving local residents, ensuring that farming activities continue to provide economic benefits to the community.

Industrial waste management is also a key focus of factory operations. Production is carried out in compliance with environmental regulations, while reforestation programs are implemented to maintain the ecological balance around the industrial zone.

Outside of production activities, the relationship between the company and the local community is also built through various social activities, including religious activities and assistance distribution.

The company's social initiatives also include support for Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and humanitarian aid for Palestine. While these efforts may not always be visible in day-to-day operations, they play a key role in building the relationship.

Another notable aspect is the involvement of people with disabilities in the workforce—an opportunity that is not always easy to find. They are employed in various roles, from marketing to warehouse operations.

Furthermore, within the local area, the company is also involved in the development of social facilities, including educational and health facilities. This support is part of the efforts to improve the quality of life of the local residents living around the industrial estate.

For Purnama Alam, the director of PT Amanah Persada Alam—the company behind the Ciomy brand—this journey is about more than just business. He shared that the company’s operations are driven by a vision of providing benefits to society.

He also emphasized that the company is committed to continuous learning from community feedback to ensure its business activities remain in harmony with the local environment.

The story in Mekargalih showcases that the relationship between industry and the community does not always involve a wide divide.

When production activities are connected with the economic and social activities of the community, industries can integrate into the mutually reinforcing local ecosystem.

Jobs for young people, business opportunities for local MSMEs, and various social movements show that a factory can play a bigger role than just a production facility.

For many regions, this model serves as an essential case study. Sustainable economic development is not determined solely by industrial growth, but by the extent to which that economic activity empowers the local community.

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