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Exhibit 10.1
FORM 6281 (6-2006)
Page 1 of 39
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Farm Credit Services of America
CREDIT AGREEMENT
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:
ARTICLE 1 — 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 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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(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 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
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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.
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.
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 agreem
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