Association receives more than $1 million in federal aid

(April 23, 2020) The Ocean Pines Association announced on Thursday it had received $1.143 million in federal assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program tied to COVID-19 relief. 

The program originated from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act approved in March.  

General Manager John Viola said Ocean Pines was among the first locally to apply for assistance. 

“When the Paycheck Protection Program was announced, we immediately formed a task force to research the funding, and we were one of the first in the queue to apply through our local lender, the Bank of Ocean City,” Viola said.  

The work group included Director of Finance and Operational Logistics Steve Phillips, Senior Executive Secretary Michelle Bennett, and Director of Public Relations and Marketing Josh Davis. 

“The team was instructed to be relentless in their research and they studied the issues, made the necessary calls, and attended multiple virtual seminars and meetings to make sure that Ocean Pines was timely and prepared when we applied for the funding,” Viola said.  

Phillips said the Paycheck Protection Program was a detailed and transparent process, and he credited the Bank of Ocean City for their help. 

“Ocean Pines was informed today that the application was qualified and approved for a loan to be utilized for full-time internal payroll expenses,” Phillips said.  

He added Ocean Pines has also applied for funds through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“Ocean Pines will continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation and review any government programs that are available,” Viola said. “Josh Davis will continue to interact and attend conferences and review government communications, to help us apply for any funding/deferral opportunities that would benefit the association financially in this volatile environment.”