FORM 6281 (6-2006)
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Farm Credit Services of America
This Credit Agreement (“Agreement”) dated as of
August 25, 2006 by and between Farm Credit Services of
America, FLCA and Farm Credit Services of America, PCA
(“Lender”) and E Energy Adams, LLC
(“Borrower”), in consideration of credit extended by
Lender under the terms and conditions set forth below, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below (and such meaning shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms
defined, as the context may require):
‘ Advance ’ shall mean funds advanced to the
Borrower under the Credit Facility(ies) described in Article 2
herein.
‘ Affiliate ’ shall mean any person, firm or
corporation (other than a Subsidiary) which directly or indirectly,
is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, any other person, firm or corporation.
‘ Business Day ’ shall mean a day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business
in Omaha, Nebraska.
‘Capital Expenditures’
means, for any period, without duplication, (a) the additions
to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of
Borrower that are (or would be) set forth on a statement of cash
flows of Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP
and (b) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by Borrower during such
period.
‘ Closing Date ’ shall mean that date on which
the Lender and Borrower have executed all Loan Documents to which
they are parties and on which all conditions in Article 3 have
been met.
‘Code’
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect
from time to time.
‘ Collateral ’ shall mean the property described
in Article 4, together with any other personal or real
property in which the Lender may be granted a lien or security
interest to secure payment of the Loan and together with the
Assignment of all Contracts or Agreements required
herein.
‘Construction Contract’
shall mean that principal contract between Borrower and any third
parties and any addenda thereto for construction of the
Facility.
‘ Control ’ shall mean possession, directly or
indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management
or policies, whether through ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise.
‘ Debt ’ or ‘ Indebtedness ’
shall mean ( i ) indebtedness of such Borrower for borrowed
money, ( ii ) indebtedness of such Borrower for the deferred
purchase price of property or services (except trade payables
arising in the ordinary course of business), ( iii )
guarantees, endorsements (other than for collection in the ordinary
course of business) and other contingent obligations of such
Borrower to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds
to invest in any person, corporation or other entity or otherwise
to assure a creditor against loss, ( iv ) obligations of
such Borrower under leases which shall have been or should be in
accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases, ( v )
Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of such Borrower and ( vi ) any
liability that would be classified as indebtedness in accordance
with GAAP.
‘ Default Rate ’ shall mean a rate which is
4 percent per annum higher than the highest rate of interest
otherwise then accruing on all or any portion of the
Loan.
‘Deposit Accounts’
means all demand, time, savings, passbook or similar depository
accounts of Borrower with financial institutions, including but not
limited to Borrower’s operating, payroll and other bank or
depository accounts.
‘Disbursing Agent’
is initially Union Title Company, and in the event Union Title
Company ceases to act as Disbursing Agent, the Disbursing Agent
will be a Person selected by Lender who succeeds to such
duties.
‘ Dollar ’ and ‘ $ ’ shall
mean dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
America.
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‘Earnings Before Interest and Taxes’
shall mean the sum of net income of the Borrower on a consolidated
basis, plus interest expense and all charges against such income
for such period for federal, state, and local taxes actually paid
or provided for as a dividend declared but unpaid.
‘ Environmental Laws ’ shall mean any and, all
federal, state, and local statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances,
rules, judgments , orders, decrees, permits, concessions,
grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental
restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants,
contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous
substances or wastes into the environment, including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water or land, or
otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or
hazardous substances or wastes.
‘ ERISA ’ shall mean the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time,
including any rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
‘ERISA Affiliate’
means any trade or business which, together with Borrower, is
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the
Code.
‘ERISA Event’
means (a) any reportable event, as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder
with respect to a plan; (b) the existence of an
“accumulated funding deficiency”; (c) the filing
of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with
respect to any plan; (d) the incurrence by Borrower or any of
its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the
termination of any plan; (e) the receipt by Borrower or the
ERISA Affiliate of any notice relating to an intention to terminate
any plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any plan
(f) the incurrence by Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates
of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial
withdrawal from any plan; or (g) the receipt by Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning the imposition of
withdrawal liability.
‘ Event of Default ’ shall have the meaning set
forth in Article 8 and the term “ Potential
Default ” shall mean any event or condition, which, with
the lapse of time, or giving of notice, or both, would constitute
an Event of Default.
‘Excess Cash Flow’
shall mean net income for the fiscal year, plus depreciation and
amortization expenses minus permitted Capital Expenditures,
distributions and withdrawals, both as defined in
Section 7.12, and regularly scheduled payments under the Loans
and other term loan payments to other long-term creditors if
permitted by Lender.
‘Facility’
shall mean the ethanol facilities to be constructed or operated by
Borrower on the real estate described in Exhibit “A”
attached hereto.
‘ GAAP ’ shall mean those generally accepted
accounting principles set forth in Statements of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board and in Opinions of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
accountants or which have other substantial authoritative support
in the United States of America and are applicable in the
circumstances, as applied on a consistent basis. “Consistent
basis” shall, however, mean not only that the accounting
principles observed in the current period are comparable in all
material respects to those applied in the preceding period, but
that, in the case of Financial Statements furnished to Banks, the
methods of calculation, aggregation and presentation of the balance
sheet, statements of income and retained earnings and statements of
cash flows shall be substantially the same as those used for the
Initial Financial Statements.
‘Investment Accounts’
means all securities or investment accounts of Borrower with
brokerage firms and others.
‘ Lien ’ shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust,
pledge, charge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), preference, priority or
other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and
the filing of any financing statement under the UCC (other than any
such financing statement filed for informational purposes only) or
comparable law or any jurisdiction to evidence any of the
foregoing.
‘ Loan ’ or ‘ Loans ’ shall
mean the Loan Facility(ies) identified in Article 2
herein.
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‘ Loan Documents ’ shall mean this Agreement,
and any other document or instrument executed in connection with or
evidencing the Loan.
Management Contracts’
means all agreements and contracts, if any, which are material to
the management of Borrower’s business in effect presently and
entered into from time to time hereafter, as the same may be
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.
‘ Material Adverse Effect ’ shall mean any
event, occurrence or circumstance that has a material negative
effect on ( i ) the business, operations, property, and
financial condition of the Borrower, or ( ii ) the validity
or enforcement of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or
remedies of the Lender hereunder, or ( iii ) the ability of
the Borrower to perform its obligations under any of the Loan
Documents.
‘ Material Contracts’ means (a) the
Construction Contract, other prime, subcontractor and materials
contracts, Management Contracts, Supply Contracts, Sales and
Marketing Contracts, Transportation Contracts, Utility Contracts,
process and performance guarantees, and any license agreement; and
(b) such other agreements and contracts to which Borrower is
or becomes a party that are material to the operation of
Borrower’s business.
‘ Obligations ’ shall mean any Advances and
other amounts due to Lender under the Loan Documents, including
without limitation, principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses,
together with all renewals, extensions, or refinancing and also all
other indebtedness and/or liabilities of Borrower to
Lender.
‘Permitted Investments’
shall mean:
(a) direct obligations of, or
obligations the principal of and interest on which are
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by
any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing
within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) commercial paper having the
highest rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or
Moody’s and in either case maturing within six months from
the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) certificates of deposit,
bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within
180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued or
guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts
issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and
undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;
(d) fully collateralized
repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for
securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with
a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause
(c) above;
(e) mutual funds investing
solely in any one or more of the Permitted Investments described in
clauses (a) through (d) above;
(f) Hedging Agreements entered
into in the ordinary course of business solely to hedge or mitigate
risks to which Borrower is exposed in the conduct of its business
or management of its liabilities; and the Lender Stock.
‘ Permitted Liens ’ shall mean: ( i )
liens and security interests securing indebtedness owed by the
Borrower to the Lender; ( ii ) liens for taxes, assessments
or similar charges not yet due; ( iii ) liens of material
men, mechanics, warehousemen, or carriers or other like liens
arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations
which are not yet delinquent; ( iv ) purchase money liens or
purchase money security interests upon or in any property acquired
or held by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business to
secure indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof; ( v )
liens and security interests which, as of the date hereof, have
been disclosed to and approved by the Lender in writing or as set
forth in an attached Schedule hereto; and ( vi ) those liens
and security interests which in the aggregate constitute an
immaterial and insignificant monetary amount with respect to the
net value of the Borrower’s assets.
‘ Person ’ shall mean any individual,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government.
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‘ Request ’ shall mean a communication (by
telephone, letter, fax or otherwise) from a person reasonably
believed by Lender to be the Borrower or an authorized officer or
manager of Borrower making the Request upon which Lender shall be
entitled to rely.
‘Sales and Marketing Contracts’
means all agreements and contracts in effect presently and entered
into from time to time hereafter which are material to the sale or
disposal of products and by-products produced by Borrower, as such
agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
‘ Subordinated Debt ’ shall mean such
liabilities of the Borrower which have been subordinated to those
owed to the Lender in a manner acceptable to the Lender.
‘ Subsidiary ’ shall mean any corporation,
partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company,
or other unincorporated organization or entity with respect to
which Borrower has voting power to elect a board of directors (or
other similar governing body), or has the power under ordinary
circumstances to directly or indirectly control the management
thereof.
‘Substantial Completion’
shall be deemed to occur on the date on which the Construction
Contract is sufficiently complete so that Borrower can occupy and
use the Facility for its intended purposes. Substantial Completion
shall be attained at the point in time when the Facility is ready
to grind corn and begin operation for its intended use as a 50 MGY
fuel ethanol production plant.
‘Supply Contracts’
means all agreements and contracts related to the supply of inputs
material to the operation of Borrower’s business in effect
presently and entered into from time to time hereafter, as the same
such agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.
‘Transportation Contracts’
means all agreements and contracts in effect presently and entered
into from time to time hereafter related to the provision of
transportation or shipping services which are material to the
operation of Borrower’s business as the same such agreements
and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.
‘Utility Contracts’
means all contracts and agreements in effect presently and entered
into from time to time hereafter which are material to the
provision to Borrower of necessary electricity, natural gas, water,
fuel oil, coal and other energy resources in connection with the
operation of Borrower’s facility, equipment and offices, as
the same such agreements and contracts are amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
ARTICLE 2 — CREDIT FACILITIES
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
Lender agrees to make Advances to Borrower on any Business Day from
the date hereof to, but excluding the Final Advancement Date
identified for said Advances, so long as no Event of Default or
Potential Default has occurred. Lender agrees to advance sums to
Borrower not to exceed the lesser of 65% of the Facility appraised
value, and $49,500,000.00, as represented by Credit Facility A,
Credit Facility B and Credit Facility C described below.
Section 2.1. Credit Facility A
. Lender agrees to advance sums to Borrower up to the amount of
$35,000,000.00 (Maximum Principal Balance) until April 1, 2008
(Term Loan Final Advancement Date). Each Advance made will reduce
the funds available for future advances by the amount of the
Advance. Repayments of principal will not be available for
subsequent Advances. The proceeds of said Loan will be used by
Borrower for financing the construction of a 50 million gallon
dry mill ethanol plant (Purpose) and Borrower agrees not to request
or use such proceeds for any other purpose.
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Interest . Borrower hereby promises to pay
interest on the principal indebtedness outstanding from time to
time on each Advance from and including the date of such Advance
and otherwise in accordance with statements issued by Lender.
Interest shall be payable on the following dates, each such date an
“Interest Payment Date”, provided that interest
accruing at the Default Rate, if applicable, shall be payable on
demand.
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Said interest shall be payable on
the 1 st day of each month, commencing the
first day of the month following the first Advance through and
including the Term Loan Final Advancement Date. Commencing on the
First Principal Payment Date, as set forth in Section 2.1(b),
said interest shall be payable on the principal payment installment
due dates at the following rate per annum.
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FORM 6281 (6-2006)
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Libor Rate
Libor Rate interest shall accrue from the date of each Advance at a
variable rate per annum equivalent to the Libor Short Term Index
Rate plus 3.05% (the ‘Variable Rate’). Interest rate
shall be adjusted higher or lower on September 15, 2006, and
every month thereafter with any change in the Libor Rate and this
higher or lower rate will thereafter apply to the outstanding
principal indebtedness and remain in effect until a different rate
of interest is established. The amount of any subsequent payments
will be increased or decreased accordingly to reflect the different
rate of interest without in any manner changing the due date of the
payments. There is no limitation on the frequency or the amount of
the change in the interest rate.
The Variable Rate shall be adjusted to the Libor Short Term Index
Rate Index listed below for any year after the first year of
operations in which, at the end of the preceding year,
Borrower’s Owner Equity (defined as net worth to total
tangible assets) is equal to or greater than the percentages given,
provided the Borrower is not otherwise in default.
Owner Equity >/=60% Libor + 280
basis points
The Libor Short Term Index Rate is the three-month London InterBank
Offered Rates in the London market based on the Libor rate
published on the last business day of the month as published in the
Wall Street Journal, rounded to the nearest 0.05%.
(b)
Principal . Borrower hereby promises to pay principal
plus all accrued interest as follows: in 29 equal installments of
$1,237,500.00 plus accrued interest commencing on the first of the
month which is six months following Substantial Completion, but no
later than April 1, 2008, (the “First Principal Payment
Date”) and continuing on the 1
st
of each quarter thereafter until the entire unpaid principal, plus
all accrued interest and any unpaid fees, costs or expenses is paid
in full, and no later than October 1, 2015 (Maturity Date).
The actual payment amount of all other payments may vary according
to the interest rate then in effect and the outstanding principal
balance.
Section 2.2 Credit Facility B
. Lender agrees to advance sums to Borrower up to the amount of
$14,500,000.00 (Maximum Principal Balance) becoming available
September 1, 2007 until the expiration of 30 months after
Credit Facility A has been repaid, but not later than April 1,
2018 (The Revolving Loan Final Advancement Date). Each Advance made
will reduce the funds available for future advances by the amount
of the Advance. Repayments of principal will be available for
subsequent Advances, however until the Revolving Loan Final
Advancement Date, the Maximum Principal Balance available for
subsequent Advances shall be reduced by $1,450,000.00 on each
installment due date. The proceeds of said Loan will be used by
Borrower for financing construction of a 50 million gallon dry mill
ethanol plant and to provide working capital (Purpose) and Borrower
agrees not to request or use such proceeds for any other
purpose.
(a) Interest .
Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the principal
indebtedness outstanding from time to time on each Advance from and
including the date of such Advance and otherwise in accordance with
statements issued by Lender. Interest shall be payable on the
following dates, each such date an “Interest Payment
Date”, provided that interest accruing at the Default Rate,
if applicable, shall be payable on demand.
Said interest shall be payable on the 1
st
day of each month, commencing the first day of the month following
the first Advance. Commencing on the First Principal Revolving Loan
Payment Date, as set forth in Section 2.2(b), said interest
shall be payable on the principal payment installment due dates at
the following rate per annum.
Libor Rate
Libor Rate interest shall accrue from the date of each Advance at a
variable rate per annum equivalent to the Libor Short Term Index
Rate plus 3.05% (the ‘Variable Rate’). Interest rate
shall be adjusted higher or lower on September 15, 2006, and
every month thereafter with any change in the Libor Rate and this
higher or lower rate will thereafter apply to the outstanding
principal indebtedness and remain in effect until a different rate
of interest is established. The amount of any subsequent payments
will be increased or decreased accordingly to reflect the different
rate of interest without in any manner changing the due date of the
payments. There is no limitation on the frequency or the amount of
the change in the interest rate.
The Variable Rate shall be adjusted to the Libor Short Term Index
Rate Index listed below for any year after the first year of
operations in which, at the end of the preceding year,
Borrower’s Owner Equity (defined as net worth to total
tangible assets) is equal to or greater than the percentages given,
provided the Borrower is not otherwise in default.
Owner Equity >/=60% Libor + 280
basis points
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The Libor Short Term Index Rate is the three-month London InterBank
Offered Rates in the London market based on the Libor rate
published on the last business day of the month as published in the
Wall Street Journal, rounded to the nearest 0.05%.
(b) Principal .
Borrower hereby promises to pay principal plus all accrued interest
as follows: in 10 equal installments of $1,450,000.00 plus accrued
interest, the first of said installments due January 1, 2016
or the first day of the first month which is three months following
full repayment of Credit Facility A, whichever occurs first (the
“First Principal Revolving Loan Payment Date”), and
continuing on the 1
st
of each calendar quarter thereafter, up to and including
April 1, 2018 when the entire unpaid principal, plus all
accrued interest and any unpaid fees, costs and expenses shall be
due and payable in full. The actual payment amount of all payments
may vary according to the interest rate then in effect and the
outstanding principal balance.
Section 2.3 Credit Facility C
. Lender agrees to advance sums to Borrower up to the amount of
$3,000,000.00 (Maximum Principal Balance) becoming available
November 1, 2007 until November 1, 2008 (Final
Advancement Date). Each Advance made will reduce the funds
available for future advances by the amount of the Advance.
Repayments of principal will be available for subsequent Advances.
The proceeds of said Loan will be used by Borrower for the
financing of eligible grain inventory, receivables and margin
account equity (Purpose) and Borrower agrees not to request or use
such proceeds for any other purpose.
(a) Interest .
Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the principal
indebtedness outstanding from time to time on each Advance from and
including the date of such Advance and otherwise in accordance with
statements issued by Lender. Interest shall be payable on the
following dates, each such date an “Interest Payment
Date”, provided that interest accruing at the Default Rate,
if applicable, shall be payable on demand.
Said interest shall be payable on the 1
st
day of each month at the following rate per annum.
Libor Rate
Libor Rate interest shall accrue from the date of each Advance at a
variable rate per annum equivalent to the Libor Short Term Index
Rate plus 3.05% (the ‘Variable Rate’). Interest rate
shall be adjusted higher or lower on September 15, 2006, and
every month thereafter with any change in the Libor Rate and this
higher or lower rate will thereafter apply to the outstanding
principal indebtedness and remain in effect until a different rate
of interest is established. The amount of any subsequent payments
will be increased or decreased accordingly to reflect the different
rate of interest without in any manner changing the due date of the
payments. There is no limitation on the frequency or the amount of
the change in the interest rate.
The Libor Short Term Index Rate is the three-month London InterBank
Offered Rates in the London market based on the Libor rate
published on the last business day of the month as published in the
Wall Street Journal, rounded to the nearest 0.05%.
(b) Principal .
Borrower hereby promises to pay principal, plus all accrued
interest and any unpaid fees, costs or expenses in full on
November 1, 2008.
Section 2.4 Computation
. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year,
but charged on the actual number of days elapsed. If interest is
not paid as and when it is due, it may be added to the principal,
become and be treated as a part thereof, and shall thereafter bear
like interest.
Section 2.5 Fees
. Borrower agrees to pay the following fees, in addition to those
costs and expenses referenced in Section 9.5 of this
Agreement.
Section 2.5.1 Origination Fee .
Borrower agrees to pay Lender for structuring the Loan the fee set
forth in the separate fee letter agreement executed by the Borrower
and the Lender dated [?November 14, 2005?]. Borrower shall
receive credit towards any fees for any amounts previously paid to
Lender.
Section 2.5.2 Administrative Fee .
Borrower agrees to pay Lender an annual, non-refundable,
non-prorated fee in an amount of $25,000.00, in arrears annually
with the first such payment due at the end of the second quarter
following Substantial Completion and thereafter on each annual
anniversary of the payment of the administrative fee.
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Section 2.5.3 Non-Use Fee .
Borrower agrees to pay Lender an additional fee in the event that
the average outstanding principal balance on Credit Facility B or
Credit Facility C is less than the Maximum Principal Balance of
said facilities. This fee will be equal to .5% per annum of
the difference between the Maximum Principal Balance and the actual
usage. The actual usage will be calculated as the average
outstanding principal balance for each 3 month period beginning
September 1, 2007 for Credit Facility B and November 1,
2007 for Credit Facility C (Beginning Dates). The fee shall be due
and payable on the first calendar quarter following the Beginning
Date and on the first of each quarter thereafter.
Section 2.6 Repayment
. Borrower agrees to pay Lender, at the location identified by
Lender, the entire unpaid principal balance, plus interest, fees
and other Lender’s costs and reasonable expenses in U.S.
dollars in accordance with this Agreement and the following
provisions. If any payment of principal or interest falls due on a
day that is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be
extended to the next following Business Day. On loans not in
default, other than loans with revolving credit, all payments
received will first be applied to protective advances and fees,
then to accrued interest, and finally to principal. On Loans with
revolving credit, unless the payment is designated by Borrower as
an interest payment, payments shall first be applied to protective
advances and fees, then to reduce principal and finally to accrued
interest. Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of
Default, payments shall first be applied to default interest, then
to protective advances and fees, then to accrued interest, and
finally to principal.
Funds received by Lender will be applied to reduce principal the
day received, if before 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, unless
received on a holiday or weekend, in which case said funds will be
credited the next Business Day. Wire transfers will be given credit
the day received only if received before 3:00 p.m., Central
Standard Time.
Funds received by Lender on a revolving credit facility shall be
immediately available for re-advance under the provisions of this
Agreement if made by wire transfer, cash or other method of
ensuring funds immediately available to Lender. Payment made in
funds not immediately available to Lender, shall not be available
to Borrower for re-advance for two business days thereafter or
until Lender has confirmed the availability of funds whichever is
the last to occur.
Section 2.6.1 Notes Evidencing Advances .
The Advances of Lender shall be evidenced by promissory notes of
Borrower substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B,
payable to the order of Lender, due on the Term Loan Final
Advancement Date for Credit Facility A, and due on the Revolving
Loan Final Advancement Date for Credit Facility B and Credit
Facility C each, in the principal amount of the Loans. Lender shall
record in its records the date and amount of each Advance made by
Lender, each repayment of principal thereon, and, if applicable,
the dates on which the interest for each such Advance is payable.
The aggregate unpaid principal amount so recorded shall be
rebuttable presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and
unpaid on such Note. The failure to so record any such amount shall
not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower
hereunder or under any Note to repay the principal amount of the
Advances, together with all interest accruing thereon.
Section 2.7 Prepayment
. This provision applies to all prepayments of principal, whether
mandatory or voluntary (except for excess cash flow payments),
which prepay the Loan in full or which exceed any scheduled
principal payments.
Section 2.7.1 Voluntary Prepayments
. Subject to the payment of any applicable prepayment fees or
funding losses as provided herein, Borrower may prepay the Loan in
full before its maturity or make additional principal payments on a
term Loan in any amount on any Business Day, specifying the Loan
upon which any prepayment is made. Such additional principal
payment shall not, however, defer, postpone or alter the amount or
due date of any scheduled payments required under this
Agreement.
Section 2.7.2 Mandatory Prepayments
. If, at any time, the outstanding unpaid principal amount on any
Loan shall exceed the Maximum Principal Balance on said Loan,
Borrower shall immediately repay Advances in an amount sufficient
to reduce the outstanding unpaid principal to the Maximum Principal
Balance.
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Section 2.7.3 Excess Cash Flow .
In addition to the scheduled principal payments required herein,
Borrower agrees to make special principal payments equal to 65% of
available Excess Cash Flow to the extent that such payment(s) do
not cause default of any of the covenants in this Agreement. Said
mandatory prepayments shall be limited to a maximum of
$2,000,000.00 per fiscal year and the aggregate total of all such
payments shall not exceed $8,000,000.00. Such payments shall be
applied to scheduled principal installments of Credit Facility A in
inverse order of maturity. Any mandatory payments from Excess Cash
Flow shall be made within 120 days of the end of each fiscal
year based on the Borrower’s audited financial statements for
the year just ended.
Section 2.7.4 Prepayment fees .
Borrower will pay to Lender a prepayment premium in connection with
any prepayment of the Loans as a result of a refinance or payoff
through sources other than from Borrower’s operations as
follows (prepayment penalties shall not apply to any Excess Cash
Flow payment made pursuant to Section 2.7.3 of this
Agreement):
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(1)
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3.0% of the outstanding indebtedness
during the first year following the First Principal Term Loan
Payment Date and the First Principal Revolving Note Payment Date;
and
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(2)
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2.0% of the outstanding indebtedness
during the second year following the First Principal Term Loan
Payment Date and the First Principal Revolving Note Payment Date;
and
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(3)
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1.0% of the outstanding indebtedness
during the third year following the First Principal Term Loan
Payment Date and the First Principal Revolving Note Payment Date;
and
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(4)
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0.0% thereafter.
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ARTICLE 3 — CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 3.1 Lender Stock
. Borrower agrees to own or purchase if necessary, such stock in
Farm Credit Services of America, ACA, as is from time to time
required by Lender’s policies and bylaws. Capitalization
requirements are met by stock owned by E Energy Adams, LLC. That
Jack Alderman is the authorized voter on behalf of the owner(s) of
voting stock.
Section 3.2 Conditions Precedent to Closing
. The obligations of Lender to close the Loans shall be subject to
the conditions precedent that Lender shall have received on or
before the Closing Date all of the following in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.
Section 3.2.1 Organizational Documents
. Copies of the organizational documents of Borrower and any
Subsidiary, including certificates of good standing in their State
of organization, and copies of all resolutions, incumbency
certificates or other authorizations of Borrower and any
Subsidiary, certified by the appropriate officers of such entity as
being in full force and effect authorizing, as applicable, the
Loans as herein provided, and for the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any
instruments or agreements required hereunder to which such entity
is a party.
Section 3.2.2 Evidence of Insurance
. Insurance certificates and such other evidence, in form or
substance satisfactory to Lender, of all insurance required to be
maintained under this Agreement and the Loan Documents.
Section 3.2.3 Loan Documents
. All duly executed originals of the Loan Documents.
Section 3.2.4 Payment of Fees and Expenses
. Evidence that Borrower has paid all fees and expenses then due
and payable under this Agreement.
Section 3.2.5 Title and Lien Verification
. In connection with all real property included in the Collateral,
Lender shall have received either a preliminary title opinion from
an attorney acceptable to Lender or a title insurance commitment in
an amount and from a title insurance company in form, scope and
substance satisfactory to Lender to assure Lender of its lien
priority as required by this Agreement and with no exceptions
contained therein except as are approved in writing by attorneys
for Lender. Further, that evidence satisfactory to Lender and the
title company be obtained by Borrower establishing that all labor
and material bills have been paid and that there is no possibility
of a lien for such items which might be prior to Lender’s
lien on the Collateral. In connection with all personal property
included in the Collateral, Lender shall have received searches of
appropriate filing offices showing no liens filed against
the
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Collateral, except those to be released prior to disbursement or
otherwise acceptable to Lender to assure Lender of its lien
priority as required by this Agreement.
Section 3.2.6 No Material Change
. No change shall have occurred in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or operation of Borrower since the Loan was approved
based on information known to Lender at time of Loan approval,
which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 3.2.7 Further Assurances
. Borrower shall have provided and/or executed and delivered to
Lender such further assignments, documents or financing statements,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, that Borrower is
to execute and/or deliver pursuant to the terms of the Loan
Documents, this Agreement, or as Lender may otherwise reasonably
require.
Section 3.2.8 Opinion of Counsel
. Borrower shall have provided a favorable opinion of its counsel
addressed to the Lender covering such matters as the Lender may
reasonably require, including, without limitation, due
organization, authorization and execution of all of the Loan
Documents, enforceability, and other opinions as Lender may
reasonably request.
Section 3.2.9 Secretary Certificate .
A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of E
Energy Adams, LLC, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying:
(i) true and complete copies of the articles of organization
and operating agreement (or equivalent documents);(ii) the names
and true signatures of the officers and/or directors authorized to
sign this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered
hereunder; (iii) true and complete copies of the resolutions
of the board of directors of the Borrower or other documentation
providing authority for the transactions and documents contemplated
hereunder; (iv) that there is no proceeding for the
dissolution or liquidation of the Borrower or threatening its
existence; and (v) that the schedules attached to the Loan
Documents are true and complete as of the Closing Date.
Section 3.2.10 Risk Management.
Within 180 days of the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall
have provided Lender with their risk management policies regarding
the procurement of feedstock and marketing of ethanol and ethanol
coproducts, acceptable to Lender.
Section 3.2.11 Invested Equity.
Borrower shall have provided Lender with evidence of funding from
invested equity capital, non-repayable grants and tax increment
financing of at least $53,600,000.00.
Section 3.2.12 Disbursing Agreement
. A Disbursing Agreement, in a form acceptable to Lender, shall
have been executed and delivered to Lender with respect to the
process by which Advances are made of proceeds of the
Loans.
Section 3.2.13 Appraisal
. Lender shall have received an as-built appraisal in form and
amount satisfactory to Lender for the Facility.
Section 3.2.14 Boundary Survey
. Lender shall have received in a form satisfactory to Lender, a
boundary survey of the real estate certified to Lender and the
Title Company issuing the title insurance, dated a date reasonably
satisfactory to each of Lender and the Title Company by an
independent professional licensed land surveyor, which boundary
survey is sufficient to delete any standard printed survey
exception contained in the title insurance policy.
Section 3.2.15 Flood Hazard Determination
. Lender shall have received a Federal Emergency Management Agency
Standard Flood Hazard Determination Certificate certifying, among
other things, whether any of the real estate Collateral is located
within a flood hazard area and, if so located, Borrower shall have
provided Lender with evidence of insurance satisfactory to
Lender.
Section 3.2.16 Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment
. Lender shall have received a Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment Report on all of the real estate, along with such
further environmental review and audit reports as Lender requests
(which may include Phase II reports), and letters by the firm
preparing such environmental reports authorizing Lender to rely on
such reports.
Section 3.2.17 Construction Documents
. Lender shall have received an executed copy of the Construction
Contract and each agreement with a subcontractor (to the extent
separately requested by Lender), together with
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(A) a copy of the site plan, (B) a schedule listing all
subcontracts relating to the project, and such other contracts,
subcontracts and schedules as Lender may request, (C) a work
progress schedule showing estimated completion time for each phase
of the project construction, (D) a sworn construction cost
statement, duly executed by Borrower, including a reconciliation of
actual costs incurred to-date against budgeted amounts, (E) a
copy of each permit and each other building permit, license and
other agreement that Borrower is required by law to obtain in
connection with the project, together with a schedule of all other
necessary licenses and permits which must be obtained in order to
occupy and operate a dry mill ethanol production facility (at
maximum capacity in accordance with the construction plans) on the
real estate where the Facility will be built, and (F) a soil
report related to the real estate where the Facility will be built,
certified by a registered engineer acceptable to Lender, including
structural design recommendations in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.
Section 3.2.18 Consents and Approvals
. Certified copies of all material consents, approvals,
authorizations, registrations, filings and orders required or
advisable to be made or obtained under any requirement of law or by
any material contractual obligation of Borrower, in connection with
the project or operation of Borrower’s business, including
the production of ethanol and by-products thereof, and such
consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and
orders must be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting
periods must have expired.
Section 3.2.19 Financial Statements
. Lender shall have received copies of Borrower’s internally
prepared financial statements as of the last day of the immediately
preceding calendar quarter, and any and all prior year audited
financial statements.
Section 3.2.20 Representations and
Warranties . The representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement and the Loan Documents are
true as of the Closing Date.
Section 3.2.21 Material Contracts
.
Collateral Assignments of all Material Contracts in existence as of
the Closing Date, together with copies of such Material
Contracts.
Section 3.2.22 Borrowing Base Certificate.
A Borrowing Base Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and
substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, dated as of the
Closing Date.
Section 3.3 Conditions Precedent to Initial
Advance
. The obligation of Lender to make an initial Advance shall be
subject to the conditions precedent that Lender shall have received
on or before the initial Advance all of the following in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender.
Section 3.3.1 No Default
. As of the Advance date, no Event of Default or Potential Default
shall have occurred and be continuing and disbursing the amount of
the Advance requested shall not result in an Event of Default or
Potential Default.
Section 3.3.2 Representations and Warranties
. The following statements shall be true and the giving of a
Request for an Advance by any Borrower shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that the following
statements are true both on the date of such Request and on the
date of such Advance: ( i ) the representations and
warranties contained in Article 5 hereof and in the other
documents to be delivered hereunder are true and complete on and as
of the date of such Advance as though made on and as of such date;
( ii ) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would
result from such Advance, which constitutes an Event of Default or
Potential Default; ( iii ) no Material Adverse Effect has
occurred and is continuing; ( iv ) the Total Lender
Indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Principal Balance; and (
v ) no order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
Governmental Authority that does, or seeks to, enjoin or restrain
any Lender from making any Advance is pending or
threatened.
Section 3.3.3 No Intervening Liens
. Lender’s liens, security interests and assignments have
been perfected, are first priority liens, security interests and
assignments, and there are no intervening or conflicting liens
(including lis pendens) on or claims to Collateral.
Section 3.3.4 No Notice
. No notice has been received from Borrower requesting Advances
under the Loan be restricted.
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Section 3.3.5 All Other Requirements Met
. All other requirements precedent to disbursal of loan funds as
required by this Agreement have been met.
Section 3.3.6 Consents, Licenses and
Approvals
. Evidence satisfactory to Lender that all consents, licenses and
approvals of governmental authorities and third parties have been
obtained which are necessary for, or required as a condition of the
validity and enforceability of the Loan Documents.
Section 3.3.7 Engineer’s Opinion.
Lender shall have received an opinion from its engineer that all
necessary permits for construction and operation have been obtained
and that there is adequate water and sanitary waste, gas and
electric service available based on needs assessment determined by
Facility designers.
Section 3.3.8 Expenditure of Equity and Other
Funds
. Borrower has provided documents evidencing Borrower’s
expenditure of a minimum of $53,600,000.00 equity, grants, seed
capital with respect to the cost of land acquisition, construction
costs, organization costs, financing costs, and pre-production
period costs.
Section 3.3.9 Confirmation of Project Costs
. Borrower has provided documents and evidence satisfactory to
Lender that equity funds, seed capital, grant proceeds, tax
increment financing and the Loans are sufficient to complete
construction and commence operations in accordance with
Borrower’s sworn construction cost statement and projections
for operations.
Section 3.3.10 Title Insurance
. The title insurance company is willing to issue an endorsement to
the title insurance policy providing title insurance coverage for
all prior and current advances without any exceptions for liens or
claims of any other Person.
Section 3.4 Conditions Precedent to Subsequent
Advances
. The obligation of Lender to fund subsequent Advances is subject
to Lender’s satisfaction of each of the following as well as
those in Section 3.3 and each request by Borrower for an
Advance shall constitute a representation by Borrower that all
conditions precedent in this Article have been satisfied and the
amount of the Advance does not exceed the limits set forth in
Article 2 hereof, or violate or exceed any other provision of
this Agreement:.
Section 3.4.1 No Default
. As of the Advance date, no Event of Default or Potential Default
shall have occurred and be continuing and disbursing the amount of
the Advance requested shall not result in an Event of Default or
Potential Default.
Section 3.4.2 Representations and Warranties
. The following statements shall be true, and the giving of a
Request for an Advance by any Borrower shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that the following
statements are true both on the date of such Request and on the
date of such Advance: ( i ) the representations and
warranties contained in Article 5 hereof and in the other
documents to be delivered hereunder are true and complete on and as
of the date of such Advance as though made on and as of such date;
( ii ) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would
result from such Advance, which constitutes an Event of Default or
Potential Default; ( iii ) no Material Adverse Effect has
occurred and is continuing; ( iv ) the total Lender
Indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Principal Balance; and (
v ) no order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
governmental authority that does, or seeks to, enjoin or restrain
Lender from making any Advance is pending or threatened.
Section 3.4.3 No Intervening Liens
. There are no intervening or conflicting liens (including lis
pendens) on or claims to Collateral.
Section 3.4.4 No Notice
. No notice has been received from Borrower requesting Advances
under the Loan be restricted.
Section 3.4.5 All Other Requirements Met
. All other requirements precedent to disbursal of loan funds as
required by this Agreement have been met.
Section 3.5 Post Closing Requirements .
Prior to funding any Advances on the Loan, Borrower must deliver to
Lender: assignments of all commodity hedging accounts established
and all Material Contracts Borrower shall have entered into, at the
time such Advance is requested.
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Section 3.6 Post Construction Requirements
, Following Substantial Completion, and prior to the First
Principal Term Loan Payment Date and the First Principal Revolving
Loan Payment Date, Borrower shall satisfy the following conditions
and requirements:
Section 3.6.1 Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent
.
All of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2, 3.3,
3.4 and 3.5 shall have been satisfied in full.
Section 3.6.2 Appraisal
. Lender shall have received, in form satisfactory to Lender, an
appraisal, or an update to the as-built appraisal obtained prior to
construction of the Facility, confirming that the appraised value
of the Facility will result in the Maximum Principal Balance not
exceeding 65% of the appraised value of the Facility.
Section 3.6.3 ALTA Survey
. Lender shall receive, in form satisfactory to Lender, an ALTA
as-built survey of the Facility.
Section 3.6.4 Warranties
.
Lender shall receive upon request, in form satisfactory to Lender,
copies of all warranties from suppliers and contractors covering
materials, equipment, appliances and the Facility.
Section 3.6.5 Completion of Construction
. Lender shall receive, in form satisfactory to Lender, a
certificate from an officer of Borrower, certifying that
construction of the Facility is final and complete in accordance
with the plans and specifications provided to Lender.
Section 3.6.6 Other Documentation
. Lender shall have received from Borrower such other documents,
instruments and certificates as Lender may reasonably
request.
Section 3.7 Revolving Advance Requirements
. As of and subsequent to completion of construction of the
Facility, requests for Advances shall be made directly to Lender
and not through the Disbursing Agent. The obligation of Lender to
make Advances shall be subject to the conditions precedent set
forth in Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
Section 4.1 Collateral
. As security for the payment and performance of all obligations of
Borrower to Lender, including all obligations of Borrower under
Article 2 hereof, any future and additional loans or advances
made to or on behalf of Borrower by Lender for any purpose,
including advances for the protection of Collateral, all attorney
fees, costs, and expenses incurred by Lender in the collection of
the Loan or in the enforcement or preservation of the rights of
Lender in and to the Collateral, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a
security interest in certain real or personal property, including
the following described property wherever located in which Borrower
has or claims an interest, and in all increases, additions,
accessions and substitutions (Collateral):
(a) A security interest in the following:
Accounts, General Intangibles, and Other Rights to
Payment.
All accounts, deposit accounts, contract rights, general
intangibles, chattel paper, investment property, documents,
instruments, money and other rights to payment now existing and
hereafter acquired, from any and all sources.
Crops.
All crops now growing or hereafter planted or grown, whether
harvested, unharvested or stored; all products of crops and all
seed, fertilizer, chemicals and supplies used or produced in
connection with any crop.
Feed and Grain.
All feed and grain from whatever source, stored, used or to be
used, whether grown, purchased, or otherwise acquired.
Inventory.
All inventory owned by or consigned to debtor of whatever
nature.
Machinery and Equipment.
All equipment, machinery, nontitled motor vehicles, tools, tanks,
and removable structures used or useful in farming or ranching
operations, all fuel, parts, accessories, and improvements
thereto.
Fixtures.
All fixtures and irrigation equipment located on the real estate
upon which the Facilities are located.
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This security interest is in addition to any security interest or
other lien granted to Lender under the terms of any Mortgage, Trust
Deed or Security Agreement executed by Borrower or by any third
party or any other document or agreement. Said security interest or
other lien is continuing and shall include the proceeds and
products of the Collateral, including, but limited to, the proceeds
of any insurance thereon.
(b) A lien in Borrower’s real estate, as identified in
Exhibit A, pursuant to the terms of a trust deed in form
satisfactory to Lender.
(c) Assignments of Borrower’s Material
Contracts.
(d) Security interests in Borrower’s Investment Accounts
and Hedging Account, pursuant to account control agreements in
forms satisfactory to Lender.
Section 4.2 Collateral Matters
. Until all obligations have been fully satisfied, Lender’s
security interest in the Collateral, and all proceeds and products
thereof, shall continue in full force and effect. During the term
of this Agreement, Borrower shall not permit any lien, claim or
encumbrance (other than those granted to Lender and those
subordinated and/or approved in writing by Lender) to remain
against any of the Collateral and Borrower shall perform any and
all steps requested by Lender to perfect, maintain and protect
Lender’s security interest in the Collateral in which a
security interest is granted to Lender under this Agreement or any
other agreement, including, without limitation, executing and
filing financing and continuation statements in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender. Lender may file one or more financing
statements disclosing Lender’s security agreement under this
Agreement and Borrower shall pay any costs of, or incidental to,
any recording or filing of any financing statements concerning the
Collateral. Borrower hereby expressly agrees that a carbon,
photographic, photostatic, or other reproduction of this Agreement
or of a financing statement is sufficient as a financing statement.
And further that wherever and whenever available and allowed by law
Secured Party is authorized to file electronically all documents
allowed or required by the Uniform Commercial Code, the Federal
Food Security Act, or other applicable law, including but not
limited to financing statements, effective financing statements,
and continuations, amendments, assignments, or terminations
thereof, WITHOUT the physical signature of Borrower and/or this
authorization shall be deemed a digital signature, and/or this
authorization shall be deemed a limited power of attorney
appointing Secured Party as Borrower’s agent and
attorney-in-fact for the express purpose of signing and executing
the aforesaid documents on Borrower’s behalf. Borrower shall
pay or cause to be paid, unless contested in good faith, all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges levied, assessed or imposed
upon or with respect to the Loan, the Collateral, any part thereof,
or the Lender by virtue of the Loan transaction. Unless contested
in good faith, if Borrower fails to pay such taxes, assessments and
governmental charges, Lender may (but shall not be required to) pay
the same and charge the cost to the Borrower payable on demand and
secured by the Collateral.
Section 4.3 Sale of Collateral
. Without Lender’s prior written consent, except for
Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business and except for
Collateral with a value of less than $75,000, Borrower will not
sell, transfer, or dispose of the Collateral without applying all
proceeds of such transaction to payment of the Loan secured hereby
within 10 days after the transaction. Borrower will not take
or attempt to take the Collateral from the state where kept without
the prior written consent of Lender. Upon request, Borrower will
provide Lender with a current list of all collateral and its
location.
ARTICLE 5 — REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Borrower warrants and represents that on the Closing Date and on
and after each Advance occurring hereunder:
Section 5.1 Organization and Qualification
. Borrower is duly incorporated or organized and is validly
existing as a corporation or other legal entity in good standing in
the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization; has the
power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct
the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be
conducted; is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing
in each jurisdiction in which the transaction of its business makes
such qualification necessary.
Section 5.2 Authorization and Consent
. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of the Loan
Documents to which it is or is to be a party have been duly
authorized by all required corporate or limited liability company
action and do not and will not ( i ) require any consent or
approval of the stockholders or members of Borrower, ( ii )
violate any provisions of any federal, state or local law, rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award presently in effect having applicability to
Borrower or of the charter, articles of incorporation or
organization, operating agreement or bylaws of Borrower, (
iii ) result in a breach of or constitute a default under
any indenture or loan or credit agreement, or any
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other agreement, lease or instrument to which Borrower is a party
or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected or (
iv ) result in, or require, the creation
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