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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Loan Agreement

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Title: THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Colorado     Date: 9/24/2008
Industry: Communications Services     Sector: Services

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, Parties: surewest communications
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Exhibit 10.1

 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

 

among

 

SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS

 

as Borrower,

 

COBANK, ACB,

 

as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger, Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender and a Lender

 

and

 

the other Lenders referred to herein

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1 AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF LOANS

2

 

1.1.

Loans

2

 

 

(A)

Term Loan A Facility

2

 

 

(B)

Term Loan B Facility

2

 

 

(C)

Revolving Loan Facility

2

 

 

(D)

Swingline Loan Facility

2

 

 

(E)

Letters of Credit

2

 

 

(F)

Notes

6

 

 

(G)

Loans

6

 

1.2.

Interest

6

 

 

(A)

Interest Options

6

 

 

(B)

Applicable Margins

7

 

 

(C)

Interest Periods

7

 

 

(D)

Calculation and Payment

8

 

 

(E)

Default Rate of Interest

9

 

 

(F)

Excess Interest

9

 

 

(G)

Selection, Conversion or Continuation of Loans; LIBOR Availability

9

 

1.3.

Notice of Borrowing, Conversion or Continuation of Loans

10

 

1.4.

Fees and Expenses

11

 

 

(A)

Commitment Fees

11

 

 

(B)

Certain Other Fees

11

 

 

(C)

Breakage Fee

11

 

 

(D)

Expenses and Attorneys Fees

11

 

 

(E)

Letter of Credit Fees

12

 

1.5.

Payments

12

 

1.6.

Repayments and Reduction of Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitment and Related Mandatory Repayments

13

 

 

(A)

Scheduled Repayments and Reductions of Term Loan Commitments, Revolving Loan Commitment and Swingline Loan Commitment

13

 

 

(B)

Voluntary Reduction of Loan Commitments

14

 

 

(C)

Mandatory Repayments

14

 

1.7.

Voluntary Prepayments and Other Mandatory Repayments

14

 

 

(A)

Voluntary Prepayment of Loans

14

 

 

(B)

Repayments from Insurance Proceeds

15

 

 

(C)

Repayments from Asset Dispositions

15

 

1.8.

Application of Prepayments and Repayments; Payment of Breakage Fees, Etc.

15

 

1.9.

Loan Accounts

15

 

1.10.

Changes in LIBOR Rate Availability

16

 

1.11.

Capital Adequacy and Other Adjustments

16

 

1.12.

Optional Prepayment/Replacement of Lender in Respect of Increased Costs

17

 

1.13.

Taxes: No Deductions

18

 

i



 

 

 

(A)

No Deductions

18

 

 

(B)

Foreign Lenders

18

 

1.14.

Changes in Tax Laws

19

 

1.15.

Treatment of Certain Refunds

20

 

1.16.

Mitigation Obligations

20

 

1.17.

Term of This Agreement

20

 

1.18.

Letter of Credit Liability

20

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

21

 

2.1.

Compliance With Laws

21

 

2.2.

Maintenance of Books and Records; Properties; Insurance

21

 

2.3.

Inspection

22

 

2.4.

Legal Existence, Etc.

22

 

2.5.

Use of Proceeds

22

 

2.6.

Further Assurances

22

 

2.7.

CoBank Patronage Capital

23

 

2.8.

Investment Company Act

23

 

2.9.

Payment of Obligations

23

 

2.10.

Environmental Laws

23

 

2.11.

ERISA Compliance

24

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

24

 

3.1.

Indebtedness

24

 

3.2.

Liens and Related Matters

25

 

3.3.

Investments

25

 

3.4.

Restricted Junior Payments

25

 

3.5.

Restriction on Fundamental Changes

25

 

3.6.

Disposal of Assets or Subsidiary Stock

26

 

3.7.

Transactions with Affiliates

27

 

3.8.

Conduct of Business

27

 

3.9.

Fiscal Year

27

 

3.10.

Inconsistent Agreements

27

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4 FINANCIAL COVENANTS AND REPORTING

28

 

4.1.

Leverage Ratio

28

 

4.2.

Interest Coverage Ratio

28

 

4.3.

Net Worth

28

 

4.4.

Financial Statements and Other Reports

28

 

 

(A)

Quarterly Financials

28

 

 

(B)

Year-End Financials

28

 

 

(C)

Borrower Compliance Certificate

29

 

 

(D)

Budgets

29

 

 

(E)

SEC Filings

29

 

 

(F)

Events of Default, Etc.

29

 

 

(G)

Litigation

29

 

 

(H)

Environmental Notices

30

 

ii



 

 

 

(I)

ERISA Events

30

 

 

(J)

Other Information

30

 

4.5.

Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of Calculations Under Agreement

30

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

31

 

5.1.

Disclosure

31

 

5.2.

No Material Adverse Effect

31

 

5.3.

Organization, Powers, Authorization and Good Standing

31

 

 

(A)

Organization and Powers

31

 

 

(B)

Authorization; Binding Obligation

31

 

 

(C)

Qualification

32

 

5.4.

Compliance of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowings with Applicable Law

32

 

5.5.

Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals

32

 

5.6.

Tax Returns and Payments

32

 

5.7.

Environmental Matters

33

 

5.8.

Financial Statements

33

 

5.9.

Intellectual Property

33

 

5.10.

Litigation, Investigations, Audits, Etc.

33

 

5.11.

Employee Labor Matters

34

 

5.12.

ERISA Compliance

34

 

5.13.

Communications Regulatory Matters

35

 

5.14.

Solvency

35

 

5.15.

Investment Company Act

35

 

5.16.

Certain Agreements and Material Contracts

35

 

5.17.

Title to Properties

36

 

5.18.

Transactions with Affiliates

36

 

5.19.

OFAC

36

 

5.20.

Patriot Act

36

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

36

 

6.1.

Event of Default

36

 

 

(A)

Payment

36

 

 

(B)

Default in Other Agreements

37

 

 

(C)

Breach of Certain Provisions

37

 

 

(D)

Breach of Warranty

37

 

 

(E)

Other Defaults Under Loan Documents

37

 

 

(F)

Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver; Etc.

37

 

 

(G)

Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver; Etc.

37

 

 

(H)

Judgment and Attachments

38

 

 

(I)

Dissolution

38

 

 

(J)

Solvency

38

 

 

(K)

Injunction

38

 

 

(L)

ERISA; Pension Plans

38

 

 

(M)

Invalidity of Loan Documents

38

 

iii



 

 

 

(N)

Licenses and Permits

38

 

 

(O)

Change in Control

39

 

6.2.

Suspension of Commitments

39

 

6.3.

Acceleration

39

 

6.4.

Rights of Collection

39

 

6.5.

Consents

39

 

6.6.

Performance by Administrative Agent

40

 

6.7.

Set Off and Sharing of Payments

40

 

6.8.

Application of Payments

40

 

6.9.

Adjustments

41

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7 CONDITIONS TO LOANS

41

 

7.1.

Conditions to the Loan on the Amendment Date

41

 

 

(A)

Executed Loan and Other Documents

41

 

 

(B)

Closing Certificates; Opinions

42

 

 

(C)

Consents

42

 

 

(D)

Fees, Expenses, Taxes, Etc.

43

 

 

(E)

Miscellaneous

43

 

7.2.

Conditions to All Loans

43

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8 ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION

44

 

8.1.

Assignments and Participations in Loans and Notes

44

 

 

(A)

General

44

 

 

(B)

Assignments by the Lenders

45

 

 

(C)

Register

46

 

 

(D)

Participations

46

 

 

(E)

Limitations upon Participant Rights

47

 

 

(F)

Certain Pledges

47

 

8.2.

Administrative Agent

47

 

 

(A)

Appointment

47

 

 

(B)

Nature of Duties

48

 

 

(C)

Rights, Exculpation, Etc.

48

 

 

(D)

Reliance

49

 

 

(E)

Indemnification

49

 

 

(F)

Administrative Agent Individually

50

 

 

(G)

Notice of Default

50

 

 

(H)

Successor Administrative Agent

50

 

 

(I)

Dissemination of Information

51

 

8.3.

Consents; Notices

51

 

8.4.

Disbursement of Funds

51

 

8.5.

Disbursements of Loans; Payments

52

 

 

(A)

Pro Rata Treatment; Application

52

 

 

(B)

Availability of Lender’s Pro Rata Share

52

 

 

(C)

Return of Payments

52

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS

53

 

iv



 

 

9.1.

Indemnities

53

 

9.2.

Amendments and Waivers

53

 

9.3.

Notices

55

 

9.4.

Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative

55

 

9.5.

Payments Set Aside

55

 

9.6.

Severability

56

 

9.7.

Lenders’ Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights

56

 

9.8.

Headings

56

 

9.9.

Governing Law

56

 

9.10.

Successors and Assigns

56

 

9.11.

No Fiduciary Relationship

56

 

9.12.

Construction

56

 

9.13.

Confidentiality

56

 

9.14.

Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process

57

 

9.15.

Waiver of Jury Trial

57

 

9.16.

Survival of Warranties and Certain Agreements

58

 

9.17.

Entire Agreement

58

 

9.18.

Counterparts; Effectiveness

58

 

9.19.

Patriot Act

59

 

9.20.

Effectiveness of Amendment and Restatement; No Novation

59

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10 DEFINITIONS

59

 

10.1.

Certain Defined Terms

59

 

10.2.

Other Definitional Provisions

73

 

v



 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 3.7

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 5.3(A)

Jurisdiction of Organization

Schedule 5.3(C)

Qualification to Transact Business

Schedule 5.4

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 5.6

Tax Returns and Payments

Schedule 5.8

Financial Statements

Schedule 5.10

Litigation, Etc.

Schedule 5.11

Employee Labor Matters

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

Exhibit 1.3

Form of Notice of Borrowing/Conversion/Continuation

Exhibit 4.4(C)

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit 10.1(A)

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit 10.1(B)

Form of Third Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Promissory Note

Exhibit 10.1(C)

Form of Third Amended and Restated Term Loan A Note

Exhibit 10.1(D)

Form of Amended and Restated Term Loan B Note

Exhibit 10.1(E)

Form of Amended and Restated Swingline Promissory Note

 

vi



 

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Defined Term

 

Defined in Section

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Changes

 

 

§4.5

 

Acquired Indebtedness

 

 

§10.1

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth

 

 

§10.1

 

Adjustment Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Administrative Agent

 

 

§10.1

 

Affected Lender

 

 

§1.12

 

Affiliate

 

 

§10.1

 

Agreement

 

 

Preamble

 

Amendment Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Applicable Law

 

 

§10.1

 

Asset Disposition

 

 

§10.1

 

Available Revolving Loan Commitment

 

 

§10.1

 

Banking Day

 

 

§10.1

 

Bankruptcy Code

 

 

§10.1

 

Base Rate

 

 

§10.1

 

Base Rate Loan

 

 

§10.1

 

Base Rate Margin

 

 

§10.1

 

Borrower

 

 

Preamble

 

Breakage Fees

 

 

§1.4(C)

 

Budget

 

 

§10.1

 

Business Day

 

 

§10.1

 

Calculation Period

 

 

§10.1

 

Capital Leases

 

 

§10.1

 

Cash Equivalents

 

 

§10.1

 

Change of Law

 

 

§1.10

 

Closing Date

 

 

§10.1

 

CoBank

 

 

Preamble

 

Communications Act

 

 

§10.1

 

Compliance Certificate

 

 

§4.4(C)

 

Consolidated Net Assets

 

 

§10.1

 

Consolidated Net Worth

 

 

§10.1

 

Contingent Obligation

 

 

§10.1

 

Default

 

 

§10.1

 

Defaulting Lender

 

 

§10.1

 

EBITDA

 

 

§10.1

 

Electing Lenders

 

 

§1.8

 

Environmental Laws

 

 

§10.1

 

ERISA

 

 

§10.1

 

ERISA Affiliate

 

 

§10.1

 

 

vii



 

ERISA Event

 

 

§10.1

 

Event of Default

 

 

§6.1

 

Everest Acquisition

 

 

§10.1

 

Evergreen Letter of Credit

 

 

§1.1(E)(8)

 

Excluded Taxes

 

 

§1.13(A)

 

Existing Credit Agreement

 

 

Preamble

 

Facility(ies)

 

 

§10.1

 

FCC

 

 

§10.1

 

First Amended Credit Agreement

 

 

Recitals

 

Fixed Rate Loan

 

 

§1.2(B)

 

Fixed Rate Margin

 

 

§10.1

 

Fixed Rate Period

 

 

§1.2(B)

 

Foreign Lender

 

 

§1.13(A)

 

Funding Date

 

 

§7.2

 

GAAP

 

 

§10.1

 

Governmental Approvals

 

 

§10.1

 

Governmental Authority

 

 

§10.1

 

Indebtedness

 

 

§10.1

 

Indemnitees

 

 

§9.1

 

Intellectual Property Rights

 

 

§5.9

 

Interest Coverage Ratio

 

 

§10.1

 

Interest Period

 

 

§1.2(C)

 

Interest Rate Agreement

 

 

§10.1

 

Investment

 

 

§10.1

 

Issuing Lender

 

 

§10.1

 

Lender(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Assignment and Assumption

 

 

§10.1

 

IRC

 

 

§10.1

 

ISP

 

 

§1.1(E)(7)

 

Letter of Credit Liability

 

 

§10.1

 

Letter(s) of Credit

 

 

§1.1(E)

 

Leverage Ratio

 

 

§10.1

 

LIBOR

 

 

§10.1

 

LIBOR Loans

 

 

§10.1

 

LIBOR Margin

 

 

§10.1

 

Licenses

 

 

§10.1

 

Lien

 

 

§10.1

 

Loan(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Loan Commitment(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Loan Documents

 

 

§10.1

 

Material Adverse Effect

 

 

§10.1

 

Material Contracts

 

 

§10.1

 

Multi-employer Plan

 

 

§10.1

 

Net Proceeds

 

 

§10.1

 

Non-Consenting Lender

 

 

§9.2

 

 

viii



 

Nonrenewal Notice Date

 

 

§1.1(E)(8)

 

Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

§10.1

 

Notice of Borrowing/Conversion/Continuation

 

 

§1.3

 

Obligations

 

 

§10.1

 

Patriot Act

 

 

§9.16

 

PBGC

 

 

§10.1

 

Permitted Acquisitions

 

 

§3.5

 

Permitted Encumbrances

 

 

§10.1

 

Person

 

 

§10.1

 

Plan

 

 

§10.1

 

Priority Debt

 

 

§10.1

 

Pro Rata Share

 

 

§10.1

 

Proposed Change

 

 

§9.2

 

PUC

 

 

§10.1

 

Register

 

 

§8.1(C)

 

Related Interest Rate Agreement

 

 

§10.1

 

Replacement Lender

 

 

§1.12

 

Reportable Event

 

 

§10.1

 

Requisite Lenders

 

 

§10.1

 

Restricted Investments

 

 

§10.1

 

Restricted Junior Payment

 

 

§10.1

 

Revolving Loan(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Revolving Loan Commitment

 

 

§10.1

 

Revolving Loan Expiration Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Revolving Loan Facility

 

 

§10.1

 

Revolving Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

SEC

 

 

§4.4(A)

 

7-Day LIBOR Index Rate

 

 

§10.1

 

Statement

 

 

§4.4(B)

 

Swingline Facility

 

 

§10.1

 

Swingline Funding Date

 

 

§7.3

 

Swingline Lender

 

 

§10.1

 

Swingline Loan Commitment

 

 

§10.1

 

Swingline Loans

 

 

§10.1

 

Swingline Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Subsidiary

 

 

§10.1

 

Tax Liabilities

 

 

§1.13(A)

 

Telecommunications System

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan A

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan A Commitment

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan A Facility

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan A Maturity Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan A Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan B

 

 

§10.1

 

 

ix



 

Term Loan B Commitment

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan B Facility

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan B Maturity Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan B Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan Commitments

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan Facilities

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan Maturity Date

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loan Note(s)

 

 

§10.1

 

Term Loans

 

 

§10.1

 

Verizon

 

 

§10.1

 

Wireless Sale

 

 

§10.1

 

 

x



 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, modified, extended or restated as permitted herein from time to time, and including all schedules and exhibits hereto, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of September 19, 2008, among SUREWEST COMMUNICATIONS , a California corporation (“ Borrower ”), COBANK, ACB (individually, “ CoBank ” and, as Administrative Agent, “ Administrative Agent ”), in its capacity as Administrative Agent, as Lead Arranger, as Issuing Lender, as Swingline Lender and as a Lender, and each such other Lender as may from time to time become a party to this Agreement.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in Subsection 10.1 of this Agreement.

 

R E C I T A L S :

 

WHEREAS, Borrower and CoBank previously entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2006 (the “ Original Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which CoBank extended certain financial accommodations to Borrower consisting of a revolving loan facility and a term loan facility; and

 

WHEREAS , Borrower and CoBank entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2007 (the “ First Amended Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which Borrower and CoBank amended and restated the Original Credit Agreement as described therein; and

 

WHEREAS , Borrower, Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and the other Lenders referred to therein entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2008 (the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which Borrower, Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and such other Lenders amended and restated the First Amended Credit Agreement as described therein; and

 

WHEREAS , Borrower, Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and the other Lenders have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement as described herein, including, without limitation, to extend the term of the Term Loan B Facility, to modify the interest rate pricing on all Facilities, to provide for certain scheduled reductions in the Revolving Loan Commitment and to separate the Revolving Loan Facility and the Swingline Facility.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree, and amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety, as follows:

 



 

SECTION 1

 

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF LOANS

 

1.1.                               Loans .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants of Borrower contained herein and in the other Loan Documents:

 

(A)                               Term Loan A Facility .  Each Lender, severally and not jointly, previously has lent to Borrower such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Term Loan A Commitment.  Amounts borrowed under this Subsection 1.1(A)  that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

(B)                                 Term Loan B Facility .  Each Lender, severally and not jointly, previously has lent to Borrower such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Term Loan B Commitment (as such Commitment has been reduced and repaid prior to the Amendment Date).  Amounts borrowed under this Subsection 1.1(B)  that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

(C)                                 Revolving Loan Facility .  Each Lender, severally and not jointly, agrees to lend to Borrower, from time to time during the period commencing on the date all conditions precedent set forth in Subsections 7.1 and 7.2 are satisfied or waived as provided herein and ending on the Business Day immediately preceding the Revolving Loan Expiration Date, its Pro Rata Share of each Revolving Loan; provided that no Lender shall be required at any time to lend more than its respective Pro Rata Share of the Available Revolving Loan Commitment; and provided , further , that at any one time the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding may not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment less the outstanding Letter of Credit Liability then outstanding.  Within the limits of the Revolving Loan Commitment and this Subsection 1.1(C)  and Subsections 1.6 , 1.7 and 1.8 , amounts borrowed under this Subsection 1.1(C)  may be prepaid and reborrowed at any time prior to the Revolving Loan Expiration Date.

 

(D)                                Swingline Loan Facility .  The Swingline Lender agrees to lend to Borrower, during the period commencing on the date all conditions precedent set forth in Subsections 7.1 and 7.2 are satisfied or waived and ending on the Business Day immediately preceding the Swingline Loan Expiration Date, Swingline Loans; provided , that the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding may not exceed the Swingline Loan Commitment.  Within the limits of the Swingline Loan Commitment and this Subsection 1.1(D)  and Subsections 1.6 , 1.7 and 1.8 , amounts borrowed under this Subsection 1.1(D)  may be prepaid and reborrowed at any time prior to the Swingline Loan Expiration Date.

 

(E)                                  Letters of Credit .  The Revolving Loan Commitment may, in addition to advances as Revolving Loans, be utilized, upon the request of Borrower, for the issuance of irrevocable letters of credit (individually, a “ Letter of Credit ” and, collectively, the “ Letters of Credit ”) by Issuing Lender for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  Immediately upon the issuance by Issuing Lender of a Letter of Credit, and without further action on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender with a Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment, each such Lender shall be deemed to have purchased from Issuing Lender a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment of the

 

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aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  Each Letter of Credit shall reduce the amount available under the Revolving Loan Commitment by the maximum amount capable of being drawn under such Letter of Credit.

 

(1)                                   Maximum Amount .  The aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Liability with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding at any time for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may not exceed $25,000,000, and the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Liability with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries plus the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding at any time may not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment.

 

(2)                                   Reimbursement .  Borrower is irrevocably and unconditionally obligated without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind to reimburse Issuing Lender in immediately available funds for any amounts paid by Issuing Lender with respect to a Letter of Credit issued hereunder for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  Borrower hereby authorizes and directs Administrative Agent, at Administrative Agent’s option, to make a Revolving Loan in the amount of any payment made by Issuing Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit issued for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  If the Letter of Credit is payable in a foreign currency, the amount owed by Borrower in connection with such Letter of Credit shall equal an amount in United States Dollars equivalent to Issuing Lender’s actual cost of settling its obligation under such Letter of Credit in such foreign currency.  All amounts paid by Issuing Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit that are not immediately repaid by Borrower or that are not repaid with a Revolving Loan shall bear interest at the sum of the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin applicable from time to time as provided in Subsection 1.2(B) .  Each Lender agrees to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Revolving Loan made pursuant to this Subsection 1.1(E)(2) .  In the event Administrative Agent elects not to debit Borrower’s account and Borrower fails to reimburse Issuing Lender in full on the date of any payment in respect of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender the amount of such unreimbursed payment and the accrued interest thereon and each such Lender, on the next Business Day, shall deliver to Administrative Agent an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share thereof in same day funds.  Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to Issuing Lender upon demand by Issuing Lender such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each payment made by Issuing Lender in respect of a Letter of Credit and not immediately reimbursed by Borrower.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligations to acquire participations pursuant to this Subsection 1.1(E)(2)  in respect of Letters of Credit and to make the payments to Issuing Lender required by the preceding sentence are absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or any failure by Borrower to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Subsection 7.2 .  If any Lender fails to make available to Issuing Lender the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any payments made by Issuing Lender in respect of a Letter of Credit as provided in this Subsection 1.1(E)(2) , Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Base Rate.

 

(3)                                   Conditions of Issuance of Letters of Credit .  In addition to all other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the issuance by the Issuing Lender of any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the conditions precedent that the Letter of Credit shall support a transaction

 

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entered into in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, shall be in an amount equal to or greater than $50,000 and shall be in such form and contain such terms and conditions as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender.  The expiration date of each Letter of Credit must be on a date which is the earlier of one year from its date of issuance or the 30th day before the date set forth in clause (iii) of the definition of the term Revolving Loan Expiration Date, or such other date as agreed to by both Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender, in their sole discretion.

 

(4)                                   Request for Letters of Credit .  Borrower must give Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender at least three Business Days’ prior written notice specifying the date a Letter of Credit is requested to be issued and the amount and the currency in which such Letter of Credit is payable, identifying the beneficiary and describing the nature of the transactions proposed to be supported thereby.  Any notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be accompanied by the form of the Letter of Credit to be provided by Issuing Lender.  Borrower must also complete any application procedures and documents required by Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance of any Letter of Credit, including a certificate regarding Borrower’s compliance with the provisions of Subsection 7.2 of this Agreement.

 

(5)                                   Borrower Obligations Absolute .  The obligations of Borrower under this Subsection 1.1(E)  are irrevocable, will remain in full force and effect until Issuing Lender and the Lenders have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be subject to counterclaim, setoff or other defense or any other qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances:

 

(a)                                   Any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents or instruments relating to any Letter of Credit;
 
(b)                                  Any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit or any other amendment, modification or waiver of or any consent to or departure from any Letter of Credit, any documents or instruments relating thereto, or any Loan Document in each case whether or not Borrower or its Subsidiaries has notice or knowledge thereof;
 
(c)                                   The existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrower or its Subsidiaries may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated hereby or any other related or unrelated transaction or transactions (including any underlying transaction between Borrower or its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);
 
(d)                                  Any draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any

 

4



 
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, telecopier or otherwise, or any errors in translation or in interpretation of technical terms;
 
(e)                                   Payment under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
 
(f)                                     Any defense based upon the failure of any drawing under any Letter of Credit to conform to the terms of such Letter of Credit ( provided that any draft, certificate or other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit appears on its face to comply with the terms thereof), any nonapplication or misapplication by the beneficiary or any transferee of the proceeds of such drawing or any other act or omission of such beneficiary or transferee in connection with such Letter of Credit;
 
(g)                                  The exchange, release, surrender or impairment of any collateral or other security for the obligations;
 
(h)                                  The occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; or
 
(i)                                      Any other circumstance or event whatsoever, including, without limitation, any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, Borrower or any Subsidiary.
 

Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct, is binding upon Borrower and its Subsidiaries and shall not create or result in any liability of the Issuing Lender to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  It is expressly agreed that, for purposes of determining whether a wrongful payment under a Letter of Credit resulted from the Issuing Lender’s negligence or willful misconduct, none of the following shall be deemed to constitute negligence or willful misconduct by the Issuing Lender: (i)  Issuing Lender’s acceptance of documents that appear on their face to comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, without responsibility for further investigation, (ii)  Issuing Lender’s exclusive reliance on the documents presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein, including the amount of any draft presented under such Letter of Credit, whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder equals the amount of such draft and whether or not any document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect (so long as such document appears on its face to comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), and whether or not any other statement or any other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be forged or invalid or any statement therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect whatsoever, and (iii) any noncompliance in any immaterial respect of the documents presented under such Letter of Credit with the terms thereof.

 

(6)                                   Obligations of Issuing Lender .  Issuing Lender (if other than Administrative Agent) hereby agrees that it will not issue a Letter of Credit hereunder until it has provided Administrative Agent with written notice specifying the amount and intended issuance date of such Letter of Credit and Administrative Agent has returned a written acknowledgment of such

 

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notice to Issuing Lender.  Issuing Lender (if other than Administrative Agent) further agrees to provide to Administrative Agent:  (i) a copy of each Letter of Credit issued by Issuing Lender promptly after its issuance; (ii) a monthly report summarizing available amounts under Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Lender, the dates and amounts of any draws under such Letters of Credit, the effective date of any increase or decrease in the face amount of any Letters of Credit during such month and the amount of any unreimbursed draws under such Letters of Credit; and (iii) such additional information reasonably requested by Administrative Agent from time to time with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Lender.

 

(7)                                   ISP .  Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Issuing Lender and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance) (“ ISP ”) shall apply to each Letter of Credit.

 

(8)                                   Evergreen Letters of Credit .  If Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit application, the Issuing Lender agrees to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “ Evergreen Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Evergreen Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Nonrenewal Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.  Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Lender, Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Lender for any such renewal.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to permit the renewal of any Evergreen Letter of Credit at any time.

 

(F)                                  Notes .  Borrower shall execute and deliver to each requesting Lender a Revolving Note, a Term Loan A Note, a Term Loan B Note and a Swingline Note, each dated the Amendment Date, in the principal amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment, the Term Loan A Commitment, the Term Loan B Commitment and the Swingline Loan Commitment, respectively.

 

(G)                                 Loans .  Loans will be made available by wire transfer of immediately available funds.  Wire transfers will be made to such account or accounts as may be authorized by Borrower.

 

1.2.                               Interest .

 

(A)                               Interest Options .  From the date each Loan is made, based upon Borrower’s election at such time and from time to time thereafter (as provided in Subsection 1.3 and subject to the conditions set forth in such Subsection 1.3 and Subsection 1.2 (C) ), each Loan shall accrue interest as follows:

 

(1)                                   as a portion of the Base Rate Loan, at the sum of the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin applicable from time to time as provided in Subsection 1.2(B) ; or

 

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(2)                                   as a LIBOR Loan, for the applicable Interest Period, at the sum of LIBOR plus the LIBOR Margin applicable from time to time as provided in Subsection 1.2(B) ;

 

provided , further , that for each Swingline Loan, such Swingline Loan shall accrue interest at the sum of the 7-Day LIBOR Index Rate applicable from time to time plus the LIBOR Margin applicable from time to time as provided in Subsection 1.2(B) ; and provided , further , that $40,000,000 of the principal amount of the Term Loan A (the “ Fixed Rate Loan ”) shall be subject to a fixed rate for the period from and including the Amendment Date through and including May 31, 2011 (the “ Fixed Rate Period ”) of the sum of 6.2860% plus the Fixed Rate Margin applicable from time to time as provided in Subsection 1.2(B) .

 

Except as otherwise provided in Subsections 1.2(E)  and 6.6 , interest on all Obligations (other than the interest payments required pursuant to this Subsection 1.2(A) ) not paid when due will accrue interest at the Base Rate plus 1.50% per annum.

 

(B)                                 Applicable Margins .  Initially, and continuing through the day immediately preceding the first Adjustment Date that occurs on or after the date that is six months after the Amendment Date, the applicable Base Rate Margin, LIBOR Margin and Fixed Rate Margin shall be 1.50%, 2.50% and 0.75% per annum, respectively.  Commencing on such Adjustment Date, the applicable Base Rate Margin, LIBOR Margin and Fixed Rate Margin shall be for each Calculation Period the applicable per annum percentage set forth in the pricing table below opposite the applicable Leverage Ratio of Borrower; provided , that at the election of Requisite Lenders, effective upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Subsection 6.1(A)  or Subsection 6.1(C)  with respect to failure to comply with a financial covenant in Section 4 and for so long as it continues the applicable Base Rate Margin, LIBOR Margin and Fixed Rate Margin shall be 1.50%, 2.50%, 0.75% per annum, respectively.

 

TERM LOAN A, TERM LOAN B AND REVOLVING LOAN PRICING TABLE

 

Leverage Ratio

 

Base Rate
Margin

 

LIBOR Margin

 

Fixed Rate
Margin

 

> 3.00:1

 

1.50

%

2.50

%

0.75

%

> 2.00:1 < 3.00:1

 

1.25

%

2.25

%

0.50

%

> 1.00:1 < 2.00:1

 

1.00

%

2.00

%

0.25

%

< 1.00:1

 

0.75

%

1.75

%

0.00

%

 

(C)                                 Interest Periods .  Each LIBOR Loan may be obtained for a one, two, three, six, nine or 12 month period (each such period being an “ Interest Period ”).  With respect to all LIBOR Loans:

 

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(1)                                   the Interest Period will commence on the date that any LIBOR Loan is made or the date on which any portion of the Base Rate Loan is converted into a LIBOR Loan, or, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;

 

(2)                                   if the Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, then it will expire on the next Business Day, provided , that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day and such day is a day of a calendar month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the Business Day next preceding such day;

 

(3)                                   any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month in such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month in such Interest Period; and

 

(4)                                   no Interest Period shall be selected for any LIBOR Loan if, in order to make repayments required pursuant to Subsection 1.6 in connection with scheduled installments on either Term Loan or scheduled reductions of the Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Subsection 1.6 , repayment of all or any portion of a Loan prior to the expiration of such Interest Period would be necessary.

 

(D)                                Calculation and Payment .  Interest on all Loans and all other Obligations and the amount of any fees set forth in Subsection 1.4 shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed.  The date of funding or conversion to the Base Rate Loan or a Swingline Loan and the first day of an Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Loan shall be included in the calculation of interest.  The date of payment of any Loan, the last day of an Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Loan and the last day of the Fixed Rate Period shall be excluded from the calculation of interest; provided , if a Loan is repaid on the same day that it is made, one day’s interest shall be charged.

 

Interest accruing on each Base Rate Loan and Swingline Loan and on the Fixed Rate Loan is payable in arrears on each of the following dates or events: (i) the last day of each calendar quarter, (ii) the prepayment of such Loan (or portion thereof) and (iii) the Term Loan A Maturity Date, the Term Loan B Maturity Date, the Revolving Loan Expiration Date or the Swingline Loan Expiration Date, as applicable, whether by acceleration or otherwise.  Interest accruing on each LIBOR Loan is payable in arrears on each of the following dates or events: (i) the last day of each applicable Interest Period, (ii) if the Interest Period is longer than three months, on each three-month anniversary of the commencement date of such Interest Period, (iii) the prepayment of such Loan (or portion thereof) and (iv) the Term Loan A Maturity Date, the Term Loan B Maturity Date, the Revolving Loan Expiration Date or the Swingline Loan Expiration Date, as applicable, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Interest accruing pursuant to Subsection 1.2(E)  is payable on demand.

 

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(E)                                  Default Rate of Interest .  At the election of Requisite Lenders, after the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Subsection 6.1(A)  or Subsection 6.1(C)  with respect to failure to comply with a financial covenant in Section 4 and for so long as it continues, all Loans and other Obligations shall bear interest at rates that are 2.00% in excess of the rates otherwise in effect, including, without limitation, rates in effect pursuant to the proviso in the second sentence of Subsection 1.2(B) , with respect to such Loans and other Obligations.

 

(F)                                  Excess Interest .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the aggregate interest, fees and other amounts required to be paid by Borrower to Lenders or any Lender hereunder are hereby expressly limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by reason of acceleration of maturity of the Indebtedness evidenced hereby or otherwise, shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to Lenders or any Lender for the use or the forbearance of the Indebtedness or Obligations evidenced hereby exceed the maximum permissible under Applicable Law.  If under or from any circumstances whatsoever, fulfillment of any provision hereof or of any of the other Loan Documents at the time of performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve exceeding the limit of such as is validity prescribed by Applicable Law then the obligation to be fulfilled shall automatically be reduced to the limit of such validity and if under or from any circumstances whatsoever Lenders or any Lender should ever receive as interest any amount which would exceed the highest lawful rate, the amount of such interest that is excessive shall be applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the Obligations evidenced hereby and not to the payment of interest.  Additionally, should the method used for calculating interest (i.e., using a 360-day year) be unlawful, such calculation method shall be automatically changed to a 365-6-day year or such other lawful calculation method as is reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent.  This provision shall control every other provision of this Agreement and all provisions of every other Loan Document.

 

(G)                                 Selection, Conversion or Continuation of Loans; LIBOR Availability .  Borrower shall have the option to (i) select all or any part of a new borrowing to be (a) a portion of the Base Rate Loan in a principal amount equal to $100,000 or any whole multiple of $5,000 in excess thereof, (b) a LIBOR Loan in a principal amount equal to $500,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or (c) a Swingline Loan in a principal amount equal to $50,000 or any whole multiple of $5,000 in excess thereof (except in connection with a borrowing made pursuant to Subsection 1.3(B) , in which case no minimums or multiples shall apply), (ii) convert at any time all or any portion of the Base Rate Loan or of the Fixed Rate Loan in a principal amount equal to $500,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof into a LIBOR Loan, and (iii) upon the expiration of its Interest Period, continue any LIBOR Loan in a principal amount equal to $500,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof into one or more LIBOR Loans for such new Interest Period(s) as selected by Borrower.  During any period in which any Event of Default is continuing, as the Interest Periods for LIBOR Loans then in effect expire, such Loans shall be converted into the Base Rate Loan and the LIBOR option will not be available to Borrower until all Events of Default are cured or waived.  Each LIBOR Loan must be made under a single Facility.  In the event Borrower fails to elect a LIBOR Loan upon any advance hereunder or upon the termination of any Interest Period or of the Fixed Rate Period, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to have such amount constitute a portion of the Base Rate Loan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, there may be no more than a total of ten LIBOR Loans outstanding under the Facilities at any one time.

 

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1.3.                               Notice of Borrowing, Conversion or Continuation of Loans .

 

(A)                               Except to the extent provided in Subsection 1.3(B) , whenever Borrower desires to request a Loan pursuant to Subsection 1.1 or to convert or continue Base Rate or LIBOR Loans pursuant to Subsection 1.2(G) , Borrower shall give Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.3 (a “ Notice of Borrowing/Conversion/Continuation ”), (i) if requesting a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of the Base Rate Loan (or any portion thereof), not later than 11:00 a.m. (Denver, Colorado time), one Business Day before the proposed borrowing, conversion or continuation is to be effective, (ii) if requesting a borrowing of a Swingline Loan, not later than 2:00 p.m. (Denver, Colorado time) on the date the proposed borrowing is to be effective or (iii) if requesting a borrowing of, a conversion to or a continuation of a LIBOR Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m. (Denver, Colorado time), three Banking Days before the proposed borrowing, conversion or continuation is to be effective.  Each Notice of Borrowing/Conversion/Continuation shall specify (a) the Loan (or portion thereof) to be converted or continued and, with respect to any LIBOR Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the current Interest Period therefore, (b) the effective date of such borrowing, conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day, and in the case of a LIBOR Loan, also a Banking Day), (c) the principal amount of such Loan to be borrowed, converted or continued, (d) the Interest Period to be applicable to any new LIBOR Loan, and (e) the Facility under which such borrowing, conversion or continuation is to be made.  Upon satisfaction of the notice requirement set forth in this Subsection 1.3 , and the other applicable conditions set forth in this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall make the Loan, or requested conversion or continuation, on the requested effective date.

 

(B)                                 Swingline Loans also will be made automatically under the Swingline Loan Facility (subject to the limitations set forth in Subsection 1.1(D) ), (i) on any day that the balance held in the account of Borrower deposited with Wachovia Bank, National Association [(Acct.# 2079900434077)] , or any successor account designated by CoBank, is less than the amount of items presented for payment in such account on such date, as provided more fully in the cash management or similar agreement between CoBank and Borrower and (ii) upon request telephonic, electronic (CoLink) or other method in each case approved in advance by CoBank provided such request is made by an employee or representative of Borrower designated in writing by Borrower as authorized to make such a request.  The representations and warranties contained in Section 5 and elsewhere in this Agreement and in the Loan Documents shall be (and each advance under this Subsection 1.3(B)  shall constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower that such representations and warranties are) true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of such date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except for any representation or warranty limited by its terms to a specific date and taking into account any amendments to the Schedules or Exhibits as a result of any disclosures made in writing by Borrower to the Administrative Agent after the Amendment Date so long as what is being disclosed does not give rise to a Default or an Event of Default.  It shall be a condition precedent to any advance under this Subsection 1.3(B)  that (i) no event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the advance that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default, (ii) no order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain CoBank from making the advance, (iii) since December 31, 2007, there shall not have occurred any event or condition that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iv) all Loan Documents shall be in

 

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full force and effect.  The requirements of Subsection 7.2 shall not be applicable to advances under this Subsection 1.3(B) .

 

1.4.                               Fees and Expenses .

 

(A)                               Loan Commitment Fees .

 

(1)                                   Revolving Loan Commitment Fee .  From the Amendment Date through the Revolving Loan Expiration Date, Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of all Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders (based upon their respective Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Loan Commitment) a fee in an amount equal to (i) the Revolving Loan Commitment less the sum of (a) the average daily outstanding balance of Revolving Loans plus (b)  the average daily outstanding Letter of Credit Liability, in each case during the preceding calendar quarter multiplied by 0.375% per annum.  Such fee is to be paid quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter for such calendar quarter (or portion thereof), with the final such payment due on the Revolving Loan Expiration Date.

 

(2)                                   Swingline Loan Commitment Fee .  From the Amendment Date through the Swingline Loan Expiration Date, Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Swingline Lender, if the Swingline Lender is not a Defaulting Lender, a fee in an amount equal to (i) the Swingline Loan Commitment less the the average daily outstanding balance of Swingline Loans during the preceding calendar quarter multiplied by 0.375% per annum.  Such fee is to be paid quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter for such calendar quarter (or portion thereof), with the final such payment due on the Swingline Loan Expiration Date.

 

(B)                                 Certain Other Fees .  Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent the fees specified in that certain letter agreement, dated September 11, 2008, from Administrative Agent to Borrower, in such amounts and at such times as specified in such letter agreement.

 

(C)                                 Breakage Fee .  Upon any repayment or payment of a LIBOR Loan or the Fixed Rate Loan on any day that is not the last day of the Interest Period or the Fixed Rate Period applicable thereto (regardless of the source of such repayment or prepayment and whether voluntary, mandatory, by acceleration or otherwise), Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of all affected Lenders, an amount (the “ Breakage Fee ”) equal to the greater of (i) $300 or (ii) the sum of (a) present value of any losses, expenses and liabilities (including any loss (including interest paid but excluding the loss of any applicable margin) sustained by each such affected Lender in connection with the good faith re-employment of such funds) that any such affected Lender may sustain as a result of the payment of such LIBOR Loan or the Fixed Rate Loan on such day plus (b) in the case of the Fixed Rate Loan only, a per annum yield of ½ of 1 percent (0.50%) on the amount of the Fixed Rate Loan for the remaining Fixed Rate Period.

 

(D)                                Expenses and Attorneys Fees .  Borrower agrees to pay promptly all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses (including those of external attorneys) incurred by Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger in connection with any matters contemplated by or arising out of the Loan Documents.  In addition to fees due under Subsections 1.4(A)  and (B) , Borrower shall also reimburse on demand Administrative Agent for its out-of-pocket expenses (including

 

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reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and expenses) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.  In addition to fees due under Subsections 1.4(A)  and (B) , Borrower agrees to pay promptly (i) all reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of any of the Loan Documents and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred by each of Administrative Agent and Lenders in connection with any Default or Event of Default and any enforcement of collection proceeding resulting therefrom or any workout or restructuring of any of the transactions hereunder or contemplated thereby or any action to enforce any Loan Document or to collect any payments due from Borrower.  All fees, costs and expenses for which Borrower is responsible under this Subsection 1.4(D)  shall be deemed part of the Obligations when incurred, payable upon demand and in accordance with the second paragraph of Subsection 1.5 .

 

(E)                                  Letter of Credit Fees .  Borrower shall pay Administrative Agent for the account of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) committed to make Revolving Loans (based upon their respective Pro Rata Shares) an annual fee for each Letter of Credit from the date of issuance to the date of termination in an amount equal to the applicable LIBOR Margin multiplied by the face amount of such Letter of Credit.  Such fee shall be payable to Administrative Agent for the benefit of all Lenders committed to make Revolving Loans (based upon their respective Pro Rata Shares).  Such fee is to be paid quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter and upon the termination of the Letter of Credit.  With respect to each Letter of Credit, Borrower shall also pay Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Issuing Lender issuing such Letter of Credit an issuance fee equal to 0.125% of the face amount of such Letter of Credit, which amount shall be paid upon the date of issuance and, if the expiration date of such Letter of Credit is later than one year from its date of issuance, upon each anniversary of the date of issuance during the term of such Letter of Credit.

 

1.5.                               Payments .  All payments by Borrower of the Obligations shall be made in same day funds and delivered to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Administrative Agent and Lenders, as applicable, by wire transfer to the following account or such other place as Administrative Agent may from time to time designate:

 

CoBank, ACB

Greenwood Village, Colorado

ABA Number 3070-8875-4

Account No. 00039293 (indicate whether a payment on Term Loan A Facility, Term Loan B Facility, Swingline Facility or the Revolving Loan Facility)

Reference: CoBank for the benefit of SureWest Communications

 

Borrower shall receive credit on the day of receipt for funds received by Administrative Agent by 11:00 a.m. (Denver, Colorado time) on any Business Day.  Funds received on any Business Day after such time shall be deemed to have been paid on the next Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the amount of interest and fees due hereunder.

 

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At any time that funds have been drawn thereunder, Borrower authorizes Lenders to make (but the Lenders shall not be obligated to make) a Loan constituting a portion of the Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Facility, on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Loan Commitment, for Letter of Credit Liability payments.  Following an Event of Default, Borrower authorizes Lenders to make (but the Lenders shall not be obligated to make) a Loan constituting a portion of the Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Facility for the payment of interest, commitment fees and Breakage Fees.  Prior to an Event of Default, other fees, costs and expenses (including those of attorneys) reimbursable pursuant to Subsections 1.4(A) , 1.4(B) , 1.4(D)  and 1.4(E)  or elsewhere in any Loan Document may be debited to the Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Facility after 15 days’ notice.  After the occurrence of an Event of Default, any such other fees, costs and expenses may be debited to the Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Facility without notice.

 

To the extent Borrower makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders or for the benefit of Administrative Agent in its individual capacity, which payments or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Administrative Agent.

 

Each payment received by Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any Note for the account of any Lender shall be remitted by Administrative Agent to such Lender promptly after Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof, and such remittance shall be made in immediately available funds for the account of such Lender for the Loans or other obligation in respect of which such payment is made.

 

1.6.                               Repayments and Reduction of Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitment and Related Mandatory Repayments .

 

(A)                               Scheduled Repayments and Reductions of Term Loan Commitments, Revolving Loan Commitment and Swingline Loan Commitment .

 

(1)                                   Term Loans .  In addition to any prepayments or repayments made or required pursuant to Subsection 1.7 , the outstanding principal balance of Term Loan A and Term Loan B not sooner due and payable shall become due and payable on the Term Loan A Maturity Date and Term Loan B Maturity Date, respectively.

 

(2)                                   Revolving Loan Commitment .  The Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced in the amount of $7,500,000 on each of December 31, 2009 and on December 31, 2010, in each case, less all voluntary reductions of the Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Subsection 1.6(B)  and all voluntary prepayments and mandatory repayments of the Term Loan Facilities pursuant to Subsection 1.7 during the applicable year, and the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be terminated in full on the Revolving Loan Expiration Date.  Any outstanding

 

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principal balance of the Revolving Loans not sooner due and payable will become due and payable on the Revolving Loan Expiration Date.

 

(3)                                   Swingline Loan Commitment .  The Swingline Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced and terminated in full on the Swingline Loan Expiration Date.  Any outstanding principal balance of the Swingline Loans not sooner due and payable will become due and payable on the Swingline Loan Expiration Date.

 

(B)                                 Voluntary Reduction of Loan Commitments .  Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce the then unused portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment or the Swingline Loan Commitment.  Each reduction shall be in a minimum amount of at least $1,000,000, or any whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof, and shall be applied as to each Lender based upon its Pro Rata Share.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayment made therewith, the aggregate principal balance of the Revolving Loans and the amount of the Letter of Credit Liability then outstanding, would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment, as so reduced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no reduction of the Swingline Loan Commitment shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayment made therewith, the aggregate principal balance of the Swingline Loans then outstanding would exceed the Swingline Loan Commitment, as applicable as so reduced.

 

(C)                                 Mandatory Repayments .  On the date of any Revolving Loan Commitment reduction provided for in this Subsection 1.6 , Borrower shall repay Revolving Loans or reduce the Letter of Credit Liability pursuant to Subsection 1.18 in an amount at least sufficient to reduce the aggregate principal balance of Revolving Loans then outstanding plus the amount of the Letter of Credit Liability then outstanding to the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment as so reduced.  If at any time the aggregate outstanding amount of Revolving Loans plus the amount of the Letter of Credit Liability then outstanding exceeds the Revolving Loan Commitment, Borrower shall repay Revolving Loans or reduce the Letter of Credit Liability pursuant to Subsection 1.18 in an amount at least sufficient to reduce the aggregate principal balance of Revolving Loans then outstanding plus the amount of the Letter of Credit Liability then outstanding to the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment, and until such repayment is made, Lenders shall not be obligated to make any Loans or issue any Letters of Credit.  If at any time the aggregate outstanding amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding exceeds the Swingline Loan Commitment, Borrower shall repay Swingline Loans in an amount at least sufficient to reduce the aggregate principal balance of Swingline Loans then outstanding to the amount of the Swingline Loan Commitment, and until such repayment is made, Lenders, including the Swingline Line Lender, shall not be obligated to make any Loans, including the Swingline Loans.  Any repayments pursuant to this Subsection 1.6(C)  shall be applied in accordance with Subsection 1.8 , and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid and any applicable Breakage Fees.

 

1.7.                               Voluntary Prepayments and Other Mandatory Repayments .

 

(A)                               Voluntary Prepayment of Loans.   Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1.8 , at any time, Borrower may prepay any Base Rate Loan and any Swingline Loan, in whole or in part, without penalty.  Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1.8 , payment of applicable Breakage Fees

 

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and the notice requirement in the following sentence, at any time Borrower may prepay any LIBOR Loan or the Fixed Rate Loan, in whole or in part.  Notice of any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan or of the Fixed Rate Loan shall be given not later than 11:00 a.m. (Denver, Colorado time) on the third Business Day preceding the date of prepayment.  All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable.  All prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid and any applicable Breakage Fees.

 

(B)                                 Repayments from Insurance Proceeds .  Borrower shall repay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the Net Proceeds received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which are insurance proceeds from any Asset Disposition to the extent that such proceeds are not reinvested in equipment or other assets that are used or useful in the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries within 180 days of receipt by Borrower or such Subsidiary of such proceeds.  All such repayments shall be applied in accordance with Subsection 1.8 .  All such repayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid and any applicable Breakage Fees.

 

(C)                                 Repayments from Asset Dispositions .  Promptly upon receipt by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Net Proceeds of an Asset Disposition, other than insurance proceeds reinvested pursuant to Subsection 1.7(B)  or Net Proceeds of Asset Dispositions permitted pursuant to Subsection 3.6 , without the consent of Administrative Agent (unless pursuant to Subsection 3.6(vi)  Borrower is required to apply such proceeds to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 1.7(C) ), Borrower shall repay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the Net Proceeds received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  All such repayments shall be applied in accordance with Subsection 1.8 .  All such repayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid and any applicable Breakage Fees.

 

1.8.                               Application of Prepayments and Repayments; Payment of Breakage Fees, Etc .  All prepayments and repayments made pursuant to Subsection 1.7 with respect to the Term Loans shall applied pro rata to the Term Loans.  All other prepayments and repayments made pursuant to Subsections 1.6 and 1.7 shall be applied as directed in writing by Borrower (in the absence of such direction, such prepayments and repayments shall first be applied to the Swingline Loan Facility until paid in full, then to the Revolving Loan Facility until paid in full, and then to the Term Loan Facilities on a pro rata basis).  All prepayment and repayments made pursuant to Subsections 1.6 and 1.7 shall first be applied to such of the applicable type of Loans of a Facility as Borrower shall direct in writing and, in the absence of such direction, shall first be applied to the Base Rate Loan and then to such LIBOR Loans or the Fixed Rate Loan as Borrower and CoBank shall agree (in the absence of agreement, such prepayments and repayments shall be applied to the LIBOR Loans and the Fixed Rate Loan on which the lowest amount of Breakage Fees would be due).

 

1.9.                               Loan Accounts .  Administrative Agent will maintain loan account records for (i) all Loans, interest charges and payments thereof, (ii) all Letter of Credit Liability, (iii) the charging and payment of all fees, costs and expenses and (iv) all other debits and credits pursuant to this Agreement. Absent manifest error, the balance in the loan accounts shall be presumptive evidence of the amounts due and owing to Lenders, provided that any failure by Administrative Agent to maintain such records shall not limit or affect Borrower’s obligation to pay.  During the continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all

 

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payments and Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that Administrative Agent shall have the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply payments in any manner it deems appropriate.

 

1.10.                         Changes in LIBOR Rate Availability .  If with respect to any proposed Interest Period, Administrative Agent or any Lender (after consultation with Administrative Agent) determines that deposits in dollars (in the applicable amount) are not being offered in the relevant market for such Interest Period, or Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of more than 50% under a Facility determine (and notify Administrative Agent) that the LIBOR Rate applicable pursuant to Subsection 1.2(A)  for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Loan under such Facility does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to Borrower and Lenders, whereupon and until such affected Lender or Lenders notifies Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and the other Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such situation no longer exist, the obligations of any affected Lender to make its portion of such type of LIBOR Loan shall be suspended and such affected Lender shall make its Pro Rata Share of such type of LIBOR Loans as a Base Rate Loan or such other type of Loan as permitted by Administrative Agent.  Any Lender may, in its sole discretion, waive the benefits and provisions of this Subsection with respect to any proposed Interest Period.

 

If the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or treaty or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank, quasi-governmental entity or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, quasi-governmental agency or comparable agency (collectively, a “ Change of Law ”), shall make it unlawful or impossible for one or more Lenders to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Loan, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower and all other Lenders.  Thereafter, until such Lender or Lenders notifies Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and the other Lenders that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligations of such Lender or Lenders to make LIBOR Loans and the right of Borrower to convert any Loan of such Lender or Lenders to a LIBOR Loan or continue any Loan of such Lender or Lenders as a LIBOR Loan shall be suspended and (ii) if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain a LIBOR Loan to the end of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, such Lender’s Loan shall immediately be converted to the Base Rate Loan.

 

1.11.                         Capital Adequacy and Other Adjustments .

 

(A)                               If any Change of Law would increase the reserve requirement or otherwise increase the cost to Administrative Agent of making or maintaining a LIBOR Loan, then Administrative Agent, on behalf of all affected Lenders, shall submit a certificate to Borrower setting forth the amount and demonstrating the calculation of such increased cost.  Administrative Agent may seek recovery of such additional amounts from Borrower only to the extent it seeks recovery for such amounts from similarly situated borrowers.  Borrower shall pay the amount of such increased cost to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the affected Lenders within 15 days after receipt of such certificate.  Such certificate shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.  There is no limitation on the number of times such a certificate may be submitted.

 

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(B)                                 In the event that any Lender shall have determined that any Change of Law regarding capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements or compliance by any Lender or any entity controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful) from any central bank or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction does or shall have the effect of increasing the amount of capital, reserves or other funds required to be maintained by such Lender or any entity controlling such Lender and thereby reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such entity’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder, then Borrower shall from time to time within 15 days after notice and demand from such Lender (together with the certificate referred to in the next sentence and with a copy to Administrative Agent), pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such reduction. A Lender may seek recovery of such additional amounts from Borrower only to the extent it seeks recovery for such amounts from similarly situated borrowers.  A certificate as to the amount of such cost and showing the basis of the computation of such cost submitted by such Lender to Borrower and Administrative Agent shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.  There shall be no limitation on the number of times such a certificate may be submitted.

 

(C)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any increased costs suffered or incurred by a Lender under this Subsection 1.11 more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender obtained knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs.  Any Lender which becomes aware of (i) any Change of Law that will make it unlawful or impossible for such Lender to make or maintain any LIBOR Loan or (ii) any Change of Law or other event or condition that will obligate Borrower to pay any amount pursuant to this Subsection 1.11 shall notify Borrower and Administrative Agent thereof as promptly as practical.  If any Lender has given notice of any such Change of Law or other event or condition and thereafter becomes aware that such Change of Law or other event or condition has ceased to exist, such Lender shall notify Borrower and Administrative Agent thereof as promptly as practical.  Each Lender affected by any Change of Law which makes it unlawful or impossible for such Lender to make or maintain any LIBOR Loan or to which Borrower is obligated to pay any amount pursuant to this Subsection 1.11 shall use reasonable commercial efforts (including changing the jurisdiction of its applicable lending office) to avoid the effect of such Change of Law or to avoid or materially reduce any amounts which Borrower is obligated to pay pursuant to this Subsection 1.11 if, in the reasonable opinion of such Lender, such efforts would not be disadvantageous to such Lender or contrary to such Lender’s normal lending practices.

 

1.12.                         Optional Prepayment/Replacement of Lender in Respect of Increased Costs .  If (a) any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender at any time, (b) any Lender shall suspend its obligation to make or maintain LIBOR Loans pursuant to Subsection 1.11 for a reason which is not applicable to any other Lender, or (c) any Lender shall demand any payment under Subsection 1.11 , 1.13 or 1.14 for a reason which is not applicable to any other Lender, then, unless such Lender (an “ Affected Lender ”) has theretofore taken steps to remove or cure, and has removed or cured, the conditions creating the cause for such obligation to pay such additional amounts or for such illegality or impossibility, Borrower may, at its option, notify Administrative Agent and such Affected Lender of its intention to do the following:  Borrower may obtain, at Borrower’s expense, a replacement Lender

 

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(“ Replacement Lender ”) for such Affected Lender, which Replacement Lender shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.  In the event Borrower obtains a Replacement Lender within 180 days following notice of its intention to do so, the Affected Lender shall sell and assign its Loans and its obligations under the Loan Commitments to such Replacement Lender at a price of par plus accrued interest and other amounts due to such Affected Lender, provided that Borrower has reimbursed such Affected Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment.

 

1.13.                         Taxes: No Deductions.

 

(A)                               No Deductions .  Any and all payments or reimbursements made hereunder or under the Notes shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, provided , however , that Borrower shall not be required to make any additional payment pursuant to this Subsection 1.13 for or on account of  (all of the following in clauses (i) and (ii), “ Excluded Taxes ”) (i) taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto (a) which are payable other than by withholding from payments or reimbursements made hereunder or under the Notes, (b) which are imposed on the payments to, or revenues, income or net income of, a Lender by its jurisdiction of incorporation or by the federal, state, local or foreign taxing authorities in the jurisdiction in which the principal place of business of such Lender is located or in which such Lender has or had a connection (other than a connection arising solely as a result of such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document), or by any jurisdiction or taxing authority thereof or therein or (c) which would not have been imposed but for the failure of the Lender to comply with certification, information or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the Lender if such compliance is necessary by statute or by regulation of the United States Treasury Department as a precondition to relief or exemption from such taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, or (ii) in the case of a Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States (a “ Foreign Lender ”), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to this Subsection 1.13 (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, collectively, “ Tax Liabilities ”).  If Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Tax Liabilities from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Lender, then the sum payable hereunder shall be increased as may be necessary so that, after making all required deductions, such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made.

 

(B)                                 Foreign Lenders .  Each Foreign Lender as to which payments made under this Agreement or under the Notes are exempt from withholding tax under the IRC or other applicable tax law or are subject to withholding tax at a reduced rate under an applicable statute or tax treaty shall provide to Borrower and Administrative Agent a properly completed and executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or W-8BEN or other applicable form, certificate or document prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States or other taxing authority

 

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certifying as to such Foreign Lender’s entitlement to such exemption or reduced rate of withholding with respect to payments to be made to such Foreign Lender under this Agreement and under the Notes (a “ Certificate of Exemption ).  Pr