EXHIBIT 10.26
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This Credit Agreement
(“Agreement”) dated as of January 5, 2007 by and
between Union Bank and Trust Company (“Lender”) and
Husker Ag, LLC (“Borrower”), in consideration of credit
extended by Lender under the terms and conditions set forth below
the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I -
DEFINITIONS
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 Loans 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
the United States, 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 or expansion 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.
‘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
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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.
‘Facility’
shall mean the ethanol facilities to
be constructed, expanded or operated by Borrower on the real estate
described in Exhibit A attached hereto.
‘Free Cash
Flow’ Free Cash
Flow shall mean the Borrower’s net income, net of 36% tax
rate, plus the respective calendar year depreciation and
amortization expense, minus allowed capital expenditures and
principal payments to Lender and other authorized
creditors.
‘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, except as may be changed as the
result of direction of Borrower’s outside accountants, in
which event Borrower must notify Lender of such changes and the
basis for such changes.
‘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.
‘Loan
Documents’ shall
mean this Agreement, and any other document or instrument executed
in connection with or evidencing the Loan.
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‘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,
attorney fees, 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.
Provided, however, for deposits as set forth above totaling
$1,000,000 or more such deposits will be insured over and above the
standard FDIC insurance by the commercial bank.
(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;
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(e) mutual funds investing solely in
any aria 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 not value of the
Borrower’s assets.
‘Person’
shall mean any individual,
corporation, partnership, of any type, limited liability company,
joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
incorporated organization or government.
‘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 40 million
gallons per year (“MMGY”) fuel ethanol production plant
in addition to the existing plant with a capacity of 20
MMGY.
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‘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 - LOANS
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 $35,000,000. This
Loan shall be evidenced by a Construction Loan up to $25,000,000
(“Construction Loan”) and Revolving Term Construction
Loan up to $10,000,000 (“Revolving Loan”).
In addition to the foregoing Loans
the existing operating loan commitment in the amount of $5,000,000
will remain in place and will serve as the main operating loan
(“Operating Loan”). The Operating Loan will continue to
be governed by the existing terms of that loan including the
borrowing base now in effect and as hereafter modified.
Section 2.1 Construction
Loan . Lender agrees
to advance sums to Borrower up to the amount of $25,000,000
(Maximum Principal Balance) subject to the above limitations, until
the earlier of Substantial Completion, or February 15, 2008,
whichever occurs first (Construction Loan Final Advancement Date).
If circumstances beyond Borrower’s control make it not
reasonably possible to obtain Substantial Completion by
February 15, 2008, Lender may extend such date which consent
for extension shall not be unreasonably withheld. 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 40 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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(a)
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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 1st day of each quarter commencing the first day of the first
calendar quarter (based on a 4 quarter calendar year) following the
first Advance through and including the Construction Loan Final
Advancement Date and 6 months thereafter. 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:
Libor
Rate Libor Rate (London Interbank
Offered Rates as reported in the Wall Street Journal on the last
business day of the preceding month) interest shall accrue from the
date of each Advance at a variable rate per annum equivalent to the
1-month Libor Rate plus 3% (the “Variable Rate”). The
Variable Rate will be adjusted monthly on the 1
st
of each
month until 6 months after Substantial Completion. Interest rate
shall be adjusted 6 months after Substantial Completion to an
amount equal to a 3-month Libor Rate plus 3% then further subject
to adjustment on the 1 st
day of
each calendar quarter (based on a 4 quarter calendar year)
according to the following schedule:
If owner equity, (tangible net worth
divided by tangible assets) based on preceding year end’s
annual audit (starting year end 2007’s annual audit), is
equal to or greater than 40% then interest shall be adjusted to a
rate index of a 3-Month Libor Rate plus 3%; if owner equity is
equal to or greater than 50% then the interest shall be adjusted to
a rate index of a 3-Month Libor Rate plus 2.55%; and if the owner
equity is equal to or greater than 60% the interest rate shall be
adjusted to a rate index of a 3-Month Libor Rate plus 2.3%; with
these options, the rate index as set forth in this paragraph will
then be annually adjusted on the date the preceding year
end’s annual audit is received by Lender and backdated to the
first day of the current year; OR
The Borrower may select a fixed rate
option based on the Federal Home Loan Bank FHLB 3-year or 5-year
fixed advance rate plus 3% beginning on the first day of the month
following 6 full months after Substantial Completion ; Prepayment
penalty will apply if a fixed rate option is selected. A make whole
agreement, which method of determination shall be disclosed to
Borrower before Borrower selects a fixed rate option, will apply if
payoff occurs during the first year of the fixed option and then a
penalty 2% of the then outstanding principal balance
thereafter.
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(b)
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Principal
Payment . Borrower
hereby promises to pay principal plus all accrued interest as
follows:
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Interest shall be paid quarterly
through the Substantial Completion or February 15, 2008,
whichever occurs first, and 6 months thereafter. Equal principal
payments of $892,857.15 plus interest are to commence on the first
day of the quarter (based on a 4 quarter year) following 6 months
after Substantial Completion and thereafter on a quarterly basis.
The Construction Loan shall be repaid in full in 28 quarterly
payments.
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Section 2.2 Revolving
Loan . Lender agrees
to advance sums to Borrower up to the amount of $10,000,000,
Maximum Principal Amount, subject to the limitations in this
Article 2, becoming available January 1, 2007 and until the
expiration of 39 months after the Construction Loan has been paid
in full or matures, whichever occurs first, but no later than
June 1, 2018. (The Revolving Loan Final Advancement Date).
Repayments of principal will be available for subsequent Advances
until the first principal payment date as described in 2.2(b) when
the Maximum Principal Amount will be reduced by the amount of each
scheduled principal payment amount. The proceeds of the Revolving
Loan will be used by Borrower for financing construction of a
40 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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(a)
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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 1st day of each quarter commencing the first day of the first
calendar quarter (based on a 4 quarter calendar year) following the
first Advance through the Revolving Loan maturity date of
June 1, 2018. Commencing on the First Principal 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 (London Interbank
Offered Rates as reported in the Wall Street Journal on the last
business day of the preceding month) interest shall accrue from the
date of each Advance at a variable rate per annum equivalent to the
1-month Libor Rate plus 3% (the “Variable Rate”). The
Variable Rate will be adjusted monthly on the 1
st
of each
month until 6 months after Substantial Completion. Interest rate
shall be adjusted 6 months after Substantial Completion to an
amount equal to a 3-month Libor Rate plus 3% then further subject
to adjustment on the 1 st
day of
each calendar quarter (based on a 4 quarter calendar year)
according to the following schedule:
If owner equity, based on preceding
year end’s annual audit (starting year end 2007’s
annual audit), is equal to or greater than 40% then interest shall
be adjusted to a rate index of a 3-Month Libor Rate plus 3%; if
owner equity is equal to or greater than 50% then the interest
shall be adjusted to a rate index of a 3-Month Libor Rate plus
2.55% ; and if the owner equity is equal to or greater than 60% the
interest rate shall be adjusted to a rate index of a 3-Month Libor
Rate plus 2.3%; with these option, the rate will then be annually
adjusted on the date the preceding year end’s annual audit is
received by Lender and backdated to the first day of the current
year; OR
The Borrower may select a fixed rate
option based on the Federal Home Loan Bank FHLB 3-year or 5-year
fixed advance rate plus 3% beginning on the first day of the month
following 6 full months after Substantial Completion; Prepayment
penalty will apply if a fixed rate option is
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selected. A make whole agreement, which method
of determination shall be disclosed to Borrower before Borrower
selects the fixed rate option, will apply if payoff occurs during
the first year of the fixed option and then thereafter a prepayment
premium of 2% of the then outstanding principal balance shall
apply.
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(b)
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Principal
Payment . Borrower
hereby promises to pay principal, plus all accrued interest as
follows:
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Quarterly principal
payments of $833,333.34 plus interest commencing three months
following the maturity or payment of the Construction Loan,
whichever is earlier, but no later than September 1, 2015.
Payments shall be in 12 equal principal payments plus the accrued
interest. The 12 th
and
final payment will be due no later than June 1, 2018. The
actual payment amount of all payments may vary according to the
interest rate then in effect and the outstanding principal balance
and any unpaid fees, costs or expenses.
Section 2.3 Other
Loans . The existing
Loans between Lender and Borrower shall remain in effect in
accordance with their existing terms and conditions. The covenants
and warranties under the existing Loans are incorporated herein and
become a part of this Credit Agreement effective 6 months after
construction completion of the expansion to the
Facility.
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 Loan
Origination Fee .
Borrower agrees to pay Lender for structuring the Loan, a fee of
$262,500 at closing, to be paid from the loan proceeds.
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 pre default accrued
interest, and finally to principal.
Funds received by Lender will be
applied 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 2:00 p.m.,
Central Standard Time.
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Funds received by Lender on a revolving credit
loan 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, in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement. 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 Free 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 the Construction
Loan or Revolving 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.
Section 2.7.3 Free Cash
Flow Payment . In
addition to the scheduled principal payments required herein,
Borrower agrees to make special principal payments equal to 10% of
available Free 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
$1,500,000.00 per fiscal year and the aggregate total of all such
payments shall not exceed $5,000,000.00. Such payments shall be
applied to scheduled principal installments of the Construction
Loan in inverse order of maturity. Any mandatory payments from Free
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. In the
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event the amount of such payments
would result in a covenant default, the amount of payment will be
reduced to an amount that would not cause a covenant
default.
Section 2.7.4 Prepayment
fees . Borrower will
pay to Lender a prepayment premium in connection with any
prepayment of the Loans, unless a fixed rate option has been
selected which shall then be covered by Section 2.1(a) or
2.2(a), as a result of a refinancing with another financial
institution or lender:
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(1)
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3.0% of the
outstanding indebtedness of both the Construction Loan and the
Revolving Loan from the closing date through third year following
the First Construction Loan Principal Payment Date; and
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(2)
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1.0% of the
outstanding indebtedness of both the Construction Loan and the
Revolving Loan after the third year following the First
Construction Loan Principal Payment Date.
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ARTICLE 3 - CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
Section 3.1 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 3.1.1
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 3.1.2 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 3.1.3 Loan
Documents . All duly
executed originals of the Loan Documents.
Section 3.1.4 Payment of
Fees and Expenses .
Evidence that Borrower has paid all fees and expenses then due and
payable under this Agreement.
Section 3.1.5 Title and
Lien Verification .
In connection with all real property included in the Collateral,
Lender shall have received 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
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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 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 3.1.6 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 3.1.7 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 3.1.8 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 3.1.9 Secretary
Certificate . A
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Borrower,
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 3.1.10 Invested
Equity . Borrower
shall have provided Lender with evidence of funding from equity
capital, non-repayable grants and tax increment financing of at
least $15,318,000.
Section 3.1.11 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 3.1.12
Appraisal . Lender
shall have received an as-built appraisal in form and amount
satisfactory to Lender for the Facility as expanded.
Section 3.1.13 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
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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 3.1.14 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 3.1.15 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 3.1.16
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
(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 of approximately 76 MMGY) on the real estate where
the Facility expansion will be built, and (F) a soil report
related to the real estate where the Facility expansion will be
built, certified by a registered engineer acceptable to Lender,
including structural design recommendations in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.
Section 3.1.17 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 3.1.18 Financial
Statements . Lender
shall have received copies of Borrowers internally prepared
financial statements as of the last day of the immediately
preceding calendar quarter, and any and all prior year audited
financial statements.
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Section 3.1.19
Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained
in this Agreement and the Loan Documents are true as of the Closing
Date.
Section 3.1.20 Material
Contracts .
Collateral Assignments of all Material Contracts in existence as of
the Closing Date, together with copies of such Material
Contracts.
Section 3.1.21 Borrowing
Base Certificate . A
Borrowing Base Certificate, in a form acceptable to
Lender.
Section 3.2 Additional
Conditions Precedent to Initial Advance . The obligation of Lender to make an initial
Advance shall be subject to the conditions precedent in
Section 3.1 and the additional conditions that Lender shall
have received on or before the initial Advance all of the following
in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.
Section 3.2.1 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 3.2.2
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 3.2.3 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 3.2.4 No
Notice . No notice
has been received from Borrower requesting Advances under the Loan
be restricted.
Section 3.2.5 All Other
Requirements Met .
All other requirements precedent to disbursal of loan funds as
required by this Agreement have been met.
Section 3.2.6 Consents,
Licenses and Approvals . Evidence satisfactory to Lender that all
consents, licenses and approvals of governmental authorities and
third parties, including but not limited to an Construction Air
Permit from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, for a
plant capacity of approximately 76 MMGY, have been obtained which
are necessary for, or required as a condition of the validity and
enforceability of the Loan Documents.
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Section 3.2.7
Engineer’s Opinion . Lender shall have received an opinion from
Lender’s 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 3.2.8 Expenditure
of Equity and Other Funds . Borrower has provided documents evidencing
Borrower’s expenditure of a minimum of $15,318,000 equity
capital, with respect to the cost of land acquisition, construction
costs, organization costs, financing costs, and pre-production
period costs.
Section 3.2.9
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 3.2.10 Title
Insurance . The title
insurance company is willing to issue an endorsement to the title
insurance policy providing title insurance coverage for all prior,
current and future advances in accordance with this Agreement
without any exceptions for liens or claims of any other
Person.
Section 3.3 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 3.2 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, or violate or exceed any other provision of
this Agreement:.
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 Risk
Management . Within
180 days of the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall have
provided Lender with their risk management policies and agreements
regarding the procurement of feedstock and marketing of ethanol and
ethanol coproducts, acceptable to Lender.
Section 3.3.3
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
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on and as of such date; ( 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 3.3.4 No
Intervening Liens .
There are no intervening or conflicting liens (including lis
pendens) on or claims to Collateral.
Section 3.3.5 No
Notice . No notice
has been received from Borrower requesting Advances under the Loan
be restricted.
Section 3.3.6 All Other
Requirements Met .
All other requirements precedent to disbursal of loan funds as
required by this Agreement have been met.
Section 3.4 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.
Section 3.5 Post
Construction Requirements . Following Substantial Completion, and prior to
the First Construction Loan Principal Payment Date, Borrower shall
satisfy the following conditions and requirements:
Section 3.5.1
Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent . All of the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 shall have been satisfied in
full.
Section 3.5.2
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 3.5.3 ALTA
Survey . Lender shall
receive, in form satisfactory to Lender, an ALTA as-built survey of
the Facility.
Section 3.5.4
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 3.5.5 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 3.5.6 Other
Documentation .
Lender shall have received from Borrower such other documents,
instruments and certificates as Lender may reasonably
request.
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Section 3.6 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 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5.
ARTICLE 4 -
SECURITY
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, all
Government payments whether in cash, in kind or
otherwise.
Farm Products
. All Farm Products including 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; all feed and grain from whatever source, stored,
used or to be used, whether grown, purchased, or otherwise
acquired.
Documents, Instruments and
Securities . All
documents, instruments, securities and general intangibles
including but not limited to ownership interest in US BioEnergy
Corporation. Borrower will allow Lender to perfect a security
interest in Borrower’s stock in US BioEnergy Corporation and
will not sell, transfer, liquidate, or pledge the stock without
prior written consent from Lender.
Inventory . All inventory owned by or consigned to
Borrower 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.
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Fixtures . All fixtures and irrigation equipment located
on the real estate upon which the Facilities are
located.
Deposit Accounts
. All deposit accounts including but
not limited to demand, time, savings, passbook and similar
accounts.
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 as amended 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 Permitted Liens or 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