Peran Pemetaan Digital melalui Google Maps dalam Mendukung Pengembangan Ekonomi Lokal: Studi Kasus UMKM Desa Bintang Mersada

Abstract

Digital transformation plays a pivotal role in strengthening the visibility and accessibility of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in local economies. This study examines the role of digital mapping using Google Maps to support local economic development in Bintang Mersada Village, Dairi Regency. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach integrated with Participatory Action Research (PAR), the community engagement program involved local entrepreneurs as active partners in inventorying business data, verifying geographic coordinates, and enriching profile information such as operational hours, contact details, and product photos. The findings indicate that the intervention successfully improved the accessibility of business locations and built the digital capacity of business owners to manage their profiles independently. While digital visibility forms an essential prerequisite for market expansion, economic impacts such as revenue growth require sustained observation and formal transaction tracking. Overall, participatory digital mapping serves as an effective, sustainable foundation for fostering digital independence and enhancing local economic ecosystems in rural areas