Hargo.co.id, GORONTALO – Economic activities in East Popayato District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, continue to thrive.
The presence of PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi (BJA), which began operations since May 2021, has accelerated the economic circulation in Popayato District and its surroundings.
The company, which processes and produces wood pellets, has recruited nearly 1,000 employees.
The absorption of labor, both in the factory, plant cultivation, port, and other supporting sectors in the PT BJA business chain, has successfully increased purchasing power and generated multiple effects for the surrounding community.
Ardiansyah, Head of Bank BRI Unit Tapal Batas, recounted that the economy of the Popayato area was struggling before PT BJA arrived.
This occurred because the majority of the population were corn farmers whose yields were sometimes uncertain.
Income earned as corn farmers was relatively small, and incomes could decrease further when corn prices fell during harvest season. Moreover, corn farmers also had to face the risk of crop failure.
“After PT BJA arrived, many people shifted to become employees or daily workers at PT BJA. Gradually, the impact on money circulation here became stronger,” said Ardiansyah.
For illustration, the provincial minimum wage (UMP) in Gorontalo is Rp 3 million per month. With nearly 1,000 employees, the potential money circulation from PT BJA employees every month could reach Rp 3 billion.
This calculation doesn’t include overtime pay and other allowances that place PT BJA employees above the UMP.
The robust money circulation in the Popayato area and its surroundings can also be seen from cash withdrawals at BRI Bank ATMs in the Popayato area.
There are four ATMs in Popayato, one of which is located in the PT BJA factory area. This is significantly more than other districts in Pohuwato Regency, which typically only have one ATM.
Ardiansyah stated that cash replenishment at the four BRI Bank ATMs in the Popayato area is done once a week.
Each refill amounts to around Rp 800 million. During PT BJA’s payday, replenishments can be done twice a week.
“On payday, the cash in the ATM can be depleted in less than a day. That’s why we often redirect cash withdrawals to BRILink agents. It’s also for job creation,” Ardiansyah explained.
Assuming ATM replenishment occurs five times, the monthly money circulation in Popayato could reach Rp 4 billion just from cash withdrawals from BRI Bank ATMs alone.
Furthermore, Ardiansyah mentioned that the money circulation and increased prosperity of the Popayato community also impact BRI Bank’s business, especially the Tapal Batas Unit.
Both the amount of third-party funds (DPK) and the number of loans at the BRI Bank Tapal Batas Unit are on the rise.
“In many cases, husbands work at PT BJA while their wives start businesses here. They need capital to run their businesses, so we help by providing credit,” Ardiansyah said.
Ardiansyah hopes that PT BJA’s plan to increase production capacity will create more job opportunities.
This way, money circulation and the economy of the Popayato community will be further assisted. (Release)
