UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

_________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 (Mark One)

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934:

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021

 

o☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934:


For the transition period from_____to_____.

 

Commission File Number  0-3024

 

NEW ULM TELECOM,NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

41-0440990

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

27 North Minnesota Street

New Ulm, Minnesota 56073

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (507) 354-4111

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes S  No  £

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes S  No  £

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”,filer,” “accelerated filer”,filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” orand “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer  ☒Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company 

 

£ Large accelerated filer 

£ Accelerated filer 

£ Non-accelerated filer 

S Smaller reporting company

£ Emerging growth company

 

1


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.£

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes £  No S

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - $1.66 par value

NUVR

OTCQB Marketplace

The total number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 14, 2017: 5,160,065.May 10, 2021: 5,207,119.

 

12



TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1

Financial Statements

3-84 - 9

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 20162020

34

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive  Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 20162020

45

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20162020

5-66 - 7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 20162020

78

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the YearThree Months Ended DecemberMarch 31, 20162021 and for the Nine Months ended September 30, 20172020

89

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

9-1910 - 30

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19-2930 - 43

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2943

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

3043 - 44

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

3044

Item 1A

Risk Factors

3044

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

3044 - 45

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

3045

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

3045

Item 5

Other Information

3145

Item 6

Exhibits Listing

3145 - 46

Signatures

3247

Exhibits

33-36

 

2

3



Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

OPERATING REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Service

$

1,463,734

$

1,479,214

$

4,422,480

$

4,413,315

Network Access

1,809,143

1,860,389

 

5,197,332

 

5,446,121

Video

2,444,849

2,353,013

7,234,486

6,993,456

Data

 

2,992,250

2,966,475

9,083,545

8,631,216

A-CAM/FUSF

1,961,457

926,163

6,011,779

2,740,159

Other Non-Regulated

1,178,600

1,187,517

3,245,532

3,407,436

Total Operating Revenues

11,850,033

10,772,771

35,195,154

31,631,703

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Plant Operations (Excluding Depreciation

and Amortization)

 

 

2,008,823

 

 

 

1,935,361

 

 

 

6,045,984

 

 

 

6,056,866

Cost of Video

2,009,678

1,966,977

6,110,767

5,962,747

Cost of Data

566,843

563,034

1,665,019

1,574,562

Cost of Other Nonregulated Services

592,393

528,984

1,600,113

1,447,269

Depreciation and Amortization

2,414,445

2,444,064

7,281,747

7,326,505

Selling, General and Administrative

1,660,991

1,778,564

5,346,808

5,255,747

Total Operating Expenses

9,253,173

9,216,984

28,050,438

27,623,696

OPERATING INCOME

2,596,860

1,555,787

7,144,716

4,008,007

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

Interest Expense

(288,258)

(350,545)

(910,024)

(1,078,833)

Interest/Dividend Income

22,283

16,641

95,401

91,624

Interest During Construction

16,880

3,334

48,302

15,368

CoBank Patronage Dividends

-

-

337,137

386,843

Other Investment Income

93,626

74,456

255,742

405,817

Total Other Income (Expense)

(155,469)

(256,114)

(173,442)

(179,181)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

2,441,391

1,299,673

6,971,274

3,828,826

INCOME TAXES

1,025,382

545,862

2,927,937

1,608,108

NET INCOME

$

1,416,009

$

753,811

$

4,043,337

$

2,220,718

BASIC AND DILUTED

NET INCOME PER SHARE

$

0.27

$

0.15

$

0.78

$

0.43

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

$

0.1000

$

0.0900

$

0.2950

$

0.2675

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

5,158,830

 

5,139,375

 

5,151,417

 

5,131,606

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 
 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

     

Voice Service

$

1,551,278

 

$

1,748,696

Network Access

 

1,582,440

  

1,631,942

Video Service

 

3,028,877

 

 

2,981,594

Data Service

 

6,267,971

  

5,651,518

A-CAM/FUSF

 

2,968,195

 

 

3,099,035

Other Non-Regulated

 

1,079,362

 

 

1,054,273

Total Operating Revenues

 

16,478,123

 

 

16,167,058

      

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Operations (Excluding Depreciation
    and Amortization)

 

3,417,738

  

3,050,616

Cost of Video

 

2,756,343

 

 

2,629,609

Cost of Data

 

923,514

  

842,062

Cost of Other Nonregulated Services

 

409,246

 

 

414,210

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,071,572

  

3,052,102

Selling, General and Administrative

 

2,663,890

 

 

2,670,868

Total Operating Expenses

 

13,242,303

 

 

12,659,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

3,235,820

 

 

3,507,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

     

Interest Expense

 

 (565,374)

 

 

(683,663)

Interest/Dividend Income

 

101,402

  

46,193

Interest During Construction

 

9,992

 

 

41,188

Gain on Debt Forgiveness

 

 2,912,433

  

 -

CoBank Patronage Dividends

 

625,490

 

 

647,369

Other Investment Income

 

66,048

 

 

81,331

Total Other Income (Expense)

 

3,149,991

 

 

132,418

      

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

6,385,811

 

 

3,640,009

      

INCOME TAXES EXPENSE

 

1,205,100

 

 

1,019,201

      

NET INCOME

$

5,180,711

 

$

2,620,808

      

NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

1.00

 

$

0.51

Diluted

$

0.99

 

$

0.51

      

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

$

0.13

 

$

0.13

      

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

5,202,832

 

 

5,184,605

Diluted

 

5,210,554

 

 

5,188,146

      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2021

2020

Net Income

$

5,180,711

 

$

2,620,808

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Interest Rate Swaps

945,061

(2,766,829)

Income Tax Benefit (Expense) Related to Unrealized
   (Gains) Losses on Interest Rate Swaps

 

(269,720)

 

 

789,653

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

675,341

 

(1,977,176)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

$

5,856,052

$

643,632

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5


Table of Contents

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

March 31,

2021

    December 31,

2020

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

9,825,210

$

8,617,660

Receivables, Net of Allowance for
   Doubtful Accounts of $141,000 and $160,000

 

2,222,739

 

 

1,885,196

Income Taxes Receivable

 

-

 

 

615,587

Materials, Supplies, and Inventories

3,450,274

2,965,960

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

2,454,856

 

 

1,000,395

Total Current Assets

 

17,953,079

 

15,084,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS & OTHER ASSETS:

Goodwill

 

49,903,029

 

 

49,903,029

Intangibles

20,808,351

21,639,293

Other Investments

 

10,033,068

 

 

9,960,187

Right of Use Asset

1,138,875

1,211,707

Other Assets

 

363,827

 

 

299,155

Total Investments and Other Assets

 

82,247,150

 

83,013,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT:

Communications Plant

 

173,466,276

 

 

171,961,736

Other Property & Equipment

25,987,857

25,758,591

Video Plant

 

11,144,025

 

 

11,143,951

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

210,598,158

208,864,278

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

140,626,258

 

 

138,385,628

Net Property, Plant & Equipment

 

69,971,900

 

70,478,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

170,172,129

$

168,576,819

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6


Table of Contents

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
 

March 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

  
      

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt, Net of
    Unamortized Loan Fees

$

4,511,844

 

$

6,788,430

Accounts Payable

 

1,772,377

 

 

1,604,735

Accrued Income Taxes

 

489,513

  

-

Other Accrued Taxes

 

320,653

 

 

258,691

Deferred Compensation

 

256,008

  

319,754

Accrued Compensation

 

2,617,805

 

 

2,247,057

Other Accrued Liabilities

 

793,974

  

811,003

Total Current Liabilities

 

10,762,174

 

 

12,029,670

      

LONG-TERM DEBT, Net of Unamortized
      Loan Fees

 

45,421,066

 

 

47,161,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:

     

Loan Guarantees

 

261,087

 

 

273,805

Deferred Income Taxes

 

17,258,129

  

16,988,409

Unrecognized Tax Benefit

 

47,363

 

 

47,363

Other Accrued Liabilities

 

1,223,060

 

 

1,283,834

Financial Derivative Instruments

 

1,776,057

  

2,721,118

Deferred Compensation

 

444,444

 

 

450,473

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

 

21,010,140

 

 

21,765,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

 -

  

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

     

Preferred Stock - $1.66 Par Value, 10,000,000 Shares
    Authorized, No Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

 -

 

 

 -

Common Stock - $1.66 Par Value, 90,000,000 Shares Authorized,
   5,207,119 and 5,200,689 Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

8,678,533

  

8,667,816

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

(1,269,170)

 

 

 (1,944,511)

Unearned Compensation

 

174,983

  

149,100

Retained Earnings

 

85,394,403

 

 

80,748,301

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

92,978,749

 

 

87,620,706

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
        STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

170,172,129

 

$

168,576,819

      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7


Table of Contents

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 
 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

2021

 

March 31,

2020

  
      

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

$

5,180,711

 

$

2,620,808

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
    Provided by Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,096,211

  

3,076,741

PPP Loan Forgiveness

 

(2,912,433)

 

 

-

Undistributed Earnings of Other Equity Investments

 

(64,423)

  

(92,511)

Noncash Patronage Refund

 

(129,177)

 

 

(143,692)

Stock Issued in Lieu of Cash Payment

 

39,984

  

29,995

Distributions from Equity Investments

 

150,000

 

 

-

Stock-based Compensation

 

178,081

  

(53,054)

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(337,167)

  

(31,755)

Income Taxes Receivable

 

615,587

 

 

-

Materials, Supplies and Inventories

 

(484,314)

  

(83,429)

Prepaid Expenses

 

(1,494,445)

 

 

 (445,671)

Other Assets

 

(65,048)

  

 (21,295)

Accounts Payable

 

174,178

 

 

24,552

Accrued Income Taxes

 

489,513

  

719,201

Other Accrued Taxes

 

61,962

 

 

54,933

Other Accrued Liabilities

 

389,210

  

471,829

Deferred Compensation

 

(69,775)

 

 

 (66,912)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

4,818,655

 

 

6,059,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Additions to Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

 

(1,740,415)

 

 

(1,754,189)

Grants Received for Construction of Plant

 

-

  

422,786

Other, Net

 

(42,000)

 

 

(26,992)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(1,782,415)

 

 

 (1,358,395)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt

 

 (1,152,600)

 

 

 (1,164,015)

Repurchase of Common Stock

 

-

 

 

(238,612)

Dividends Paid

 

(676,090)

  

(674,171)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

 (1,828,690)

 

 

(2,076,798)

      

NET INCREASE IN CASH

 

1,207,550

 

 

2,624,547

      

CASH at Beginning of Period

 

8,617,660

 

 

2,993,000

      

CASH at End of Period

$

9,825,210

 

$

5,617,547

      

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

782,399

 

$

679,202

Net cash paid for income taxes

$

100,000

 

$

300,000

      

Certain historical numbers have been changed to conform to the current year's presentation.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8


Table of Contents

NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 
 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021

      

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

         
               
 

Common Stock

  

Unearned

Compensation

 

Retained

Earnings

 

Total

Equity

 

Shares

 

Amount

    
                 

BALANCE on December 31, 2020

5,200,689

 

 $

8,667,816

 

 $

(1,944,511)

 

 $

149,100

 

 $

80,748,301

 

 $

87,620,706

                 

Employee Stock Plan

4,594

 

 

7,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,083

 

 

108,740

Restricted Stock Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,341

 

 

 

 

 

 69,341

Exercise of RSUs

1,836

  

3,060

     

(43,458)

  

40,398

  

-

Net Income

            

5,180,711

  

5,180,711

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (676,090)

 

 

(676,090)

Unrealized Gain on Interest Rate Swap

      

 675,341

        

 675,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE on March 31, 2021

5,207,119

 

 $

8,678,533

 

 $

 (1,269,170)

 

 $

174,983

 

 $

85,394,403

 

 $

92,978,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 
 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

      

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

         
               
 

Common Stock

  

Unearned

Compensation

 

Retained

Earnings

 

Total

Equity

 

Shares

 

Amount

    
                 

BALANCE on December 31, 2019

5,189,218

 

 $

8,648,697

 

 $

(186,095)

 

 $

189,255

 

 $

72,106,198

 

 $

80,758,055

                 

Restricted Stock Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,174)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,174)

Exercise of RSU's

4,144

 

 

6,907

 

 

 

 

 

(126,616)

 

 

71,829

 

 

(47,880)

Repurchase of Common Stock

(13,496)

  

(22,493)

        

(216,119)

  

(238,612)

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,620,808

 

 

2,620,808

Dividends

            

(674,171)

  

(674,171)

Unrealized Loss on Interest Rate Swap

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,977,176)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,977,176)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE on March 31, 2020

5,179,866

 

 $

8,633,111

 

 $

(2,163,271)

 

 $

57,465

 

 $

73,908,545

 

 $

80,435,850

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

39



Table of Contents

NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net Income

$

           1,416,009

 

$

753,811

 

$

4,043,337

 

$

2,220,718

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Interest Rate Swaps

(1,256)

                69,693

41,672

(83,863)

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit Related to Unrealized

    Gains/Losses on Interest Rate Swaps

 

 

 

                    508

 

 

 

 

 

(28,205)

 

 

 

 

 

(16,865)

 

 

 

 

 

33,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

(748)

 

                41,488

 

24,807

 

(49,923)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

$

           1,415,261

$

               795,299

$

4,068,144

$

2,170,795

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4


Table of Contents

NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

September 30,

2017

December 31,

2016

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

2,167,181

$

616,114

Receivables, Net of Allowance for

   Doubtful Accounts of $79,000 and $43,200

 

 

 

2,183,880

 

 

 

 

 

2,232,571

Income Taxes Receivable

568,646

27,559

Materials, Supplies, and Inventories

 

1,913,536

 

 

1,860,157

Financial Derivative Instruments

 

18,860

 

 

 -

Prepaid Expenses

 

618,431

 

724,891

Total Current Assets

 

7,470,534

 

 

5,461,292

INVESTMENTS & OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

39,805,349

39,805,349

Intangibles

 

16,874,427

 

 

18,726,239

Other Investments

7,293,872

7,345,680

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

33,680

 

66,165

Total Investments and Other Assets

 

64,007,328

 

 

65,943,433

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunications Plant

125,288,361

122,571,148

Other Property & Equipment

 

17,506,635

 

 

16,801,894

Video Plant

 

10,376,067

 

10,321,263

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

 

153,171,063

 

 

149,694,305

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

112,121,609

 

106,767,672

Net Property, Plant & Equipment

 

41,049,454

 

 

42,926,633

TOTAL ASSETS

$

112,527,316

 

$

114,331,358

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

September 30,

2017

December 31,

2016

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt, Net of

    Unamortized Loan Fees

$

3,315,822

$

3,315,822

Accounts Payable

 

1,675,027

 

 

2,378,736

Other Accrued Taxes

135,477

180,215

Deferred Compensation

 

57,728

 

 

59,264

Accrued Compensation

1,891,245

1,908,212

Other Accrued Liabilities

 

362,947

 

 

446,462

Total Current Liabilities

 

7,438,246

 

8,288,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, Net of Unamortized

Loan Fees

 

24,682,670

 

 

28,298,064

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Loan Guarantees

185,052

213,802

Deferred Income Taxes

 

16,331,297

 

 

16,314,431

Other Accrued Liabilities

203,630

233,147

Financial Derivative Instruments

 

                       -  

 

 

22,812

Deferred Compensation

 

649,660

 

701,895

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

 

17,369,639

 

 

17,486,087

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

                       -  

 

 

                          -  

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock - $1.66 Par Value, 10,000,000 Shares

    Authorized, None Issued

                       -  

                          -  

Common Stock - $1.66 Par Value, 90,000,000 Shares

    Authorized, 5,160,065 and 5,139,375 Shares Issued

    and Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

8,600,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,565,625

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

11,227

(13,580)

Unearned Compensation

 

5,448

 

 

                          -  

Retained Earnings

 

54,419,978

 

 

51,706,451

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

63,036,761

 

60,258,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
        STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

112,527,316

$

114,331,358

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 2017

  

September 30,

 2016

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

$

             4,043,337

$

                     2,220,718

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash

 

 

 

 

 

Provided by Operating Activities:

Depreciation and Amortization

 

                7,326,131

 

 

                        7,370,889

Undistributed Earnings of Other Equity Investments

 

                  (168,797)

 

 

                         (405,439)

Noncash Patronage Refund

                        (105,145)

                           (96,711)

Distributions from Equity Investments

 

                          400,000

 

 

                           575,000

Stock Issued in Lieu of Cash Payment

                          147,351

                           147,238

Restricted Stock Compensation

 

                              5,448

 

 

                                    -  

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

Receivables

 

                            70,423

 

 

                         (248,689)

Income Taxes Receivable

                        (541,087)

                         (143,392)

Inventories

 

                          (53,379)

 

 

                           441,740

Prepaid Expenses

                          183,667

                           406,361

Deferred Charges

 

                            10,753

 

 

                           (39,708)

Accounts Payable

                        (998,611)

                         (350,017)

Other Accrued Taxes

 

                          (44,738)

 

 

                             56,624

Other Accrued Liabilities

                        (129,999)

                         (328,444)

Deferred Compensation

                          (53,771)

                           (57,022)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

                     10,091,583

 

 

                        9,549,148

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

                     (3,257,853)

                      (4,249,841)

Other, Net

 

                        (103,000)

 

 

                         (103,000)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

                     (3,360,853)

 

                      (4,352,841)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt

 

                     (2,025,000)

 

 

                      (2,025,000)

Changes in Revolving Credit Facility

 

                     (1,634,778)

 

 

                      (1,880,909)

Dividends Paid

                     (1,519,885)

                      (1,372,812)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

                     (5,179,663)

 

 

                      (5,278,721)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

 

                       1,551,067

 

 

                           (82,414)

CASH at Beginning of Period

 

                          616,114

 

 

                           551,824

CASH at End of Period

$

                       2,167,181

 

$

                           469,410

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest

$

897,301

 

$

                        1,047,309

Net cash paid for income taxes

$

3,469,100

$

                        1,751,500

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NEW ULM TELECOM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

Common Stock

Unearned

Compensation

Retained

Earnings

Total

Equity

Shares

Amount

BALANCE on December 31, 2015

 5,116,826

 

 $

8,528,043

 

 $

 (18,687)

 

 $

-

 

 $

  50,561,016

 

 $

59,070,372

Director's Stock Plan

 12,411

 

 

20,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  69,295

 

 

89,980

Employee Stock Plan

 10,138

16,897

  57,009

73,906

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,854,487

 

 

2,854,487

Dividends

 (1,835,356)

 (1,835,356)

Unrealized Gain on Interest Rate Swap

 

 

 

 

 

 5,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE on December 31, 2016

5,139,375

 

 

8,565,625

 

 

 (13,580)

 

 

 -  

 

 

 51,706,451

 

 

60,258,496

Director's Stock Plan

 12,668

 

 

21,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,840

 

 

149,953

Employee Stock Plan

  8,022

13,370

 61,235

74,605

Restricted Stock Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 5,448

 

 

 

 

 

 5,448

Net Income

4,043,337

4,043,337

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,519,885)

 

 

 (1,519,885)

Unrealized Gain on Interest Rate Swap

24,807

24,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE on September 30, 2017

  5,160,065

 $

8,600,108

 $

 11,227

 $

5,448

 $

54,419,978

 $

63,036,761

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NEW ULM TELECOM,NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of New Ulm Telecom,Nuvera Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (NU Telecom)(Nuvera) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information, and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). and, where applicable, conform to the accounting principles as prescribed by federal and state telephone utility regulatory authorities. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring accruals) considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements and present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented as required by Regulation S-X, Rule 10-01. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020.

 

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptionsjudgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the related disclosuresdisclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole or any other interim period.

 

Our consolidated financial statements report the financial condition and results of operations for NU TelecomNuvera and its subsidiaries in one1 business segment: the TelecomCommunications Segment. Inter-company transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

We recognizeSee Note 2 – “Revenue Recognition” for a discussion of our revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or a service has been provided, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.recognition policies.

 

Revenues are earned from our customers primarily through the connection to our networks, digital and commercial television (TV) programming, Internet services (high-speed broadband), and hosted and managed services. Revenues for these services are billed based on set rates for monthly service or based on the amount of time the customer is utilizing our facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when the service is rendered.

Revenues earned from interexchange carriers (IXCs) accessing our network are based on the utilization of our network by these carriers as measured by minutes of use on the network or special access to the network by the individual carriers. Revenues are billed at tariffed access rates for both interstate and intrastate calls. Revenues for these services are recognized based on the period the access is provided.

Interstate access rates are established by a nationwide pooling of companies known as the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established NECA in 1983 to develop and administer interstate access service rates, terms and conditions. Revenues are pooled and redistributed on the basis of a company's actual or average costs. There has been a change in the composition of interstate access charges in recent years, shifting more of the charges to the end user and reducing the amount of access charges paid by the IXC’s. We believe this trend will continue.

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New Ulm Telecom’s and Sleepy Eye Telephone Company’s (SETC) settlements from the pools were based on their actual costs to provide service, while the settlements for NU Telecom subsidiaries – Western Telephone Company, Peoples Telephone Company and Hutchinson Telephone Company (HTC) were based on nationwide average schedules. Access revenues for New Ulm Telecom and SETC include an estimate of a cost study each year that is trued-up subsequent to the end of any given year. Our management believes the estimates included in our preliminary cost study were reasonable. We cannot predict the future impact that industry or regulatory changes will have on interstate access revenues.

Intrastate access rates are filed with state regulatory commissions in Minnesota and Iowa.

Effective January 1, 2017 the Company no longer receives funding from the Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) based on the pooling and redistribution of revenues based on a company's actual or average costs as described above, but has instead, elected to receive funding based on the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) as described below.

A-CAM

The FUSF was established as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and provides subsidies to telecommunications providers as means of increasing the availability and affordability of advanced telecommunications services. In 2011, significant reform was introduced, including the creation of the Connect America Fund (CAF), to help modernize the FUSF and promote support of these telecom services in the nation’s high-cost areas. In 2016, the FCC announced additional reform to further transition the CAF from supporting the provision of voice services to the provision of broadband services. On March 30, 2016, the FCC issued a Report and Order (2016 Order) that adopts the following changes to the FUSF for rate-of-return carriers:

·         Establishes a voluntary cost model;   

·         Creates specific broadband deployment obligations; 

·         Provides a mechanism for support of broadband-only deployment; 

·         Gradually reduces the authorized rate-of-return from 11.25 percent to 9.75 percent;

·         Eliminates support in those local areas served by unsubsidized competitors;

·         Establishes “glide-path” transition periods for all the new changes; and

·         Maintains the $2 billion budget established by the 2011 Transformation Order.

While the 2011 FUSF Transformation Order established CAF Phase I and CAF Phase II as high-cost support mechanisms for the price-cap carriers (i.e., the larger, national local exchange carriers (LECs) such as Verizon and AT&T), it was not as specific about how subsidies would change for the rate-of-return carriers (i.e., the smaller LECs, including all rural LECs). In contrast, the 2016 Order focused on the rate-of-return carriers, announced specific changes to existing funding mechanisms as well as a new funding mechanism, and provided rural telecommunications providers with greater certainty about future support.

One of the major changes introduced by the 2016 Order was the creation of the A-CAM, a new CAF support mechanism for rate-of-return carriers. Utilization of the A-CAM was voluntary; and rate-of-return carriers may have instead chose to continue relying on the legacy support mechanism known as interstate common line support (ICLS), but then modified and renamed CAF Broadband Loop Support. Each carrier needed to decide which support mechanism to elect, and then choose one or the other, per state.

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In our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, NU Telecom disclosed that we had elected the A-CAM for our Minnesota and Iowa operations, replacing our former ICLS. NU Telecom will receive A-CAM support for a period of ten years in exchange for meeting defined broadband build-out requirements. At the time of NU Telecom’s election, the FCC had not yet determined the final award numbers. 

Consistent with the stated disclosure in our Form 10-Q, NU Telecom notified the FCC that we would continue to elect the A-CAM program. Under the report that accompanied the FCC December 20, 2016 Public Notice, NU Telecom would annually receive (i) $391,896 for our Iowa operations and (ii) $6,118,567 for our Minnesota operations. The Company will use the annual $6.5 million that we receive through the A-CAM program to meet our defined broadband build-out obligations. The A-CAM payments will replace the Company’s former ICLS payments. In 2016 NU Telecom received $1,965,727 under the former ICLS program.

We derive revenues from the sale, installation and servicing of communication systems. In accordance with GAAP, these deliverables are accounted for separately. We recognize revenue from customer contracts for sales and installations using the completed-contract method, which recognizes income when the contract is substantially complete. We recognize rental revenues over the rental period.

Cost of Services (excluding depreciation and amortization)

Cost of services includes all costs related to delivery of communication services and products. These operating costs include all costs of performing services and providing related products including engineering, network monitoring and transport cost.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include direct and indirect selling expenses, customer service, billing and collections, advertising and all other general and administrative costs associated with the operations of the business.our operations.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

We use the group life method (mass asset accounting) to depreciate the assets of our telephonecommunications companies. TelephoneCommunications plant acquired in a given year is grouped into similar categories and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the group. When an asset is retired, both the asset and the accumulated depreciation associated with that asset are removed from the books. Due to rapid changes in technology, selecting the estimated economic life of telecommunicationscommunications plant and equipment requires a significant amount of judgment. We periodically review data on expected utilization of new equipment, asset retirement activity and net salvage values to determine adjustments to our depreciation rates. Depreciation expense was $5,429,935$2,240,630 and $5,474,520$2,221,159 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016.2020. We amortize our definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment.

 

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable and a provision for tax consequences deferred to future periods. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, and their respective tax bases. Significant components of our deferred taxes arise from differences (i) in the basis of property, plant and equipment due to the use of accelerated depreciation methods for tax purposes, as well as (ii) in partnership investments and intangible assets due to the difference between book and tax basis. Our effective income tax rate is normally higher than the United States tax rate due to state income taxes and permanent differences. differences, however, our effective income tax rate was lower than the United States tax rate in the quarter ended March 31, 2021 due to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness not being taxable at the federal level. 

 

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We account for income taxes in accordance with GAAP.GAAP, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. As required by GAAP, we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax positionsposition only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

 

As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20162020 we had $0$44,155 of unrecognized tax benefits whichthat if recognized would not affect the effective tax rate. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to materially change over the next 12 months.      

 

We are primarily subject to United States, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and IowaWisconsin income taxes. Tax years subsequent to 20132016 remain open to examination by federal and state tax authorities. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20162020 we had no$3,208 accrued interest or penalties accrued that related to income tax matters.

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Earnings and Dividends Per Share

Basic and diluted net income per share are calculated as follows:

Three Months Ended

  March 31, 2021

Three Months Ended

  March 31, 2020

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

Net Income

$

5,180,711

 

$

5,180,711

 

$

2,620,808

 

$

2,620,808

Weighted-average common
shares outstanding

 

5,202,832

 

 

5,210,554 

 

 

5,184,605

 

 

5,188,146

Net income per share

$

1.00 

 

$

0.99

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.51

The weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted, are calculated as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

  March 31, 2021

 

Three Months Ended

  March 31, 2020

  
 

Basic

 

Diluted

 

Basic

 

Diluted

            

Weighted-average common
shares outstanding

 

5,202,832

 

 

5,202,832

 

 

5,184,605

 

 

5,184,605

            

Unvested RSU's

 

 -

 

 

7,722

 

 

 -

 

 

3,541

            

Weighted-average common
shares outstanding

 

5,202,832

 

 

5,210,554

 

 

5,184,605

 

 

5,188,146

Nuvera’s Board of Directors (BOD) reviews quarterly dividend declarations based on our anticipated earnings, capital requirements and our operating and financial conditions.  

 

Recent Accounting Developments

 

In May 2017,March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09 (ASU 2017-09)(ASU) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), “ScopeFacilitation of Modification Accounting).the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2017-092020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2101-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.” ASU 2021-01 clarifies the modification accounting guidance for stock compensation includedthat certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 are both elective and are effective upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be award must be accounted for as a modification under Topic 718. The new guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adoptimpact this update effective January 1, 2018will have on our consolidated financial statements and will apply this guidance to applicable transactions after adoption date.related disclosures. 

 

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In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350).: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting forsubsequent measurement of goodwill impairment and removes Step 2by eliminating the second step of the goodwill impairment test. GoodwillThe second step measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Under ASU 2017-04, a company will now berecord an impairment charge based on the amount by whichexcess of a reporting unit’s carrying value exceedsamount over its fair value limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The same one-step impairment testvalue. ASU 2017-04 will be applied to goodwill at all reporting units, even those with zero or negative carrying amounts. The amendments in this update should be applied on a prospective basis. ASU 2017-04prospectively and is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in the Companyfiscal years beginning January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. Management is evaluating the impact theThe Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2021 and expects that adoption of ASU 2017-04the standard will not have a material effect on the Company’sour financial statements (if any).position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 requires entities to use a new forward-looking, expected loss model to estimate credit losses. It also requires additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade and other receivables, including information relating to management’s estimate of credit allowances. NU TelecomThe Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020.for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption as of January 1, 2019December 15, 2018 is permitted. We areManagement is evaluating the effects thatimpact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on ourthe Company’s financial position, results of operations and disclosures.statements (if any).

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. This change will result in an increase to recorded assets and liabilities on lessees’ financial statements, as well as changes in the categorization of rental costs, from rent expense to interest and depreciation expense. Other effects may occur depending on the types of leases and the specific terms of them utilized by particular lessees. The ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. Modified retrospective application is required. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  

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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606),” and has since amended the standard with ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date,” ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” and ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” These standards replace existing revenue recognition rules with a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. These standards require an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. As amended, the new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, using either a retrospective basis or a modified retrospective basis with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018. The Company plans to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective approach. The Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, including the impact to the pattern with which revenue is recognized, the impact of the standard on current accounting policies, practices and system of internal controls, in order to identify material differences, if any that would result from applying the new requirements. In 2016, the Company commenced on an initial impact assessment process for this new standard. The Company is continuing its work toward establishing new policies and processes, and is implementing necessary changes to data and procedures necessary to comply with the new requirements. Based on the results of our assessment to date, the Company anticipates this standard will have an impact, which is not anticipated to be significant, to the consolidated financial statements. While continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, the Company believes the most significant impact relates to additional disclosures required for qualitative and quantitative information concerning the nature, amount, timing, and any uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers, the capitalization of costs of commissions, upfront contract costs, the pattern with which revenue is recognized, and other contract acquisition-based and contract fulfillment costs.

We have reviewed all other significant newly issued accounting pronouncements and determined that they are either not applicable to our business or that no material effect is expected on our financial position and results of operations.

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue based on the following single principles-based, five-step model that is applied to all contracts with customers. These steps include (1) identify the contact(s) with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied.   

Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver services such as broadband, video or voice services. Promised services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. The Company accounts for services as separate performance obligations. Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer.

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The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring service to the customer. This amount is generally equal to the market price of the services promised in the contract and may include promotional or bundling discounts. The majority of our prices are based on tariffed rates filed with regulatory bodies or standard company price lists. The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees. Conversely, nonrefundable up-front fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, which are immaterial to our overall revenues, are included in the transaction price. In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract. We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified, which is consistent with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606-10-32-4.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the service, net of the related discount, as applicable.

Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring service to the customer as described below.

Significant Judgements

The Company often provides multiple services to a customer. Provision of customer premise equipment (CPE) and additional service tiers may have a significant level of integration and interdependency with the subscription voice, video, Internet or connectivity services. Judgement is required to determine whether provision of CPE, installation services and additional service tiers are considered distinct and accounted for separately, or not distinct and accounted for together with the subscription services.

Allocation of the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations in bundled service subscriptions requires judgement. The transaction price for a bundle of services is frequently less than the sum of standalone selling prices of each individual service. Bundled discounts are allocated proportionally to the selling price of each individual service within the bundle. Standalone selling prices for the Company’s services are directly observable.

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Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

 

2020

Voice Service¹

$

1,785,080

 

$

1,944,528

Network Access¹

 

1,611,197

  

1,680,561

Video Service¹

 

3,027,547

 

 

2,978,285

Data Service¹

 

5,755,470

  

5,163,503

Directory²

 

178,119

 

 

208,005

Other Contracted Revenue³

 

624,494

  

602,542

Other4

 

301,088

 

 

252,542

      

    Revenue from customers

 

13,282,995

 

 

12,829,966

      

Subsidy and other revenue outside scope of ASC 6065

 

3,195,128

 

 

3,337,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

$

16,478,123

 

$

16,167,058

      

¹ Month-to-Month contracts billed and cosumed in the same month.

     
      

² Directory revenue is contracted annually, however, this revenue is recognized
monthly over the contract period as the advertising is used.

     
      

³ This includes long-term contracts where the revenue is recognized monthly over
the term of the contract.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 This includes CPE and other equipment sales.

     
      

5This includes governmental subsidies and lease revenue outside the scope of ASC 606.

     

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 78.78% of our total revenue was from month-to-month and other contracted revenue from customers. Approximately 19.39% of our total revenue was from revenue sources outside of the scope of ASC 606. The remaining 1.83% of total revenue was from other sources including CPE and equipment sales and installation.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, approximately 77.80% of our total revenue was from month-to-month and other contracted revenue from customers. Approximately 20.64% of our total revenue was from revenue sources outside of the scope of ASC 606. The remaining 1.56% of total revenue was from other sources including CPE and equipment sales and installation.

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A significant portion of our revenue is derived from customers who may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of the future revenue to be recognized from our existing customer base. Revenue from customers with a contractually specified term and non-cancelable service period will be recognized over the term of such contracts, which is generally 3 to 10 years for these types of contracts.

Nature of Services

Revenues are earned from our customers primarily through the connection to our networks, digital and commercial television (TV) programming, Internet services (high-speed broadband), and hosted and managed services. Revenues for these services are billed based on set rates for monthly service or based on the amount of time the customer is utilizing our facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized over time as the service is rendered.

Voice Service – We receive recurring revenue for basic voice services that enable end-user customers to make and receive telephone calls within a defined local calling area for a flat monthly fee. In addition to subscribing to basic local telephone services, our customers may choose from multiple voice service plans with a variety of custom calling features such as call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification and voicemail. Our Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) digital phone service is also available as an alternative to the traditional telephone line. Customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.

Network Access – We provide access services to other communication carriers for the use of our facilities to terminate or originate long distance calls on our network. Additionally, we bill monthly subscriber line charges (SLCs) to substantially all of our customers for access to the public switched network. These monthly SLCs are regulated and approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In addition, network access revenue is derived from several federally administered pooling arrangements designed to provide support and distribute funding to us.

Revenues earned from other communication carriers accessing our network are based on the utilization of our network by these carriers as measured by minutes of use on the network or special access to the network by the individual carriers on monthly basis. Revenues are billed at tariffed access rates for both interstate and intrastate calls and are recognized into revenue monthly based on the period the access was provided.

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The National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) pools and redistributes the SLCs to various communication providers through the Connect America Fund. These revenues are earned and recognized into revenue on a monthly basis. Any adjustments to these amounts received by NECA are adjusted for in revenue upon receipt of the adjustment.

Video Service – We provide a variety of enhanced video services on a monthly recurring basis to our customers. We also receive monthly recurring revenue from our subscribers for providing commercial TV programming in competition with local cable TV (CATV), satellite dish TV and off-air TV service providers. We serve twenty-two communities with our IPTV services and five communities with our CATV services. Customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.

Data Service – We provide high speed Internet to business and residential customers depending on the nature of the network facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location. Our revenue is earned based on the offering of various flat packages based on the level of service, data speeds and features. We also provide e-mail and managed services, such as web hosting and design, on-line file back up and on-line file storage. Data customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.

Directory – Our directory publishing revenue in our telephone directories recurs monthly and is recognized into revenue on a monthly basis. 

Other Contracted Revenue - Managed services and certain other data customers include fiber-delivered communications and managed information technology solutions to mainly business customers, as well as high-capacity last-mile data connectivity services to wireless and wireline carriers. Services are primarily offered on a subscription basis with a contractually specified and non-cancelable service period. The non-cancelable contract terms for these customers generally range from 3 to 10 years. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period as the subscription services are delivered. These services are billed as monthly recurring charges to customers. 

Other – We also generate revenue from the sales, service and installation of CPE and other services. Sales and service of CPE are billed and recognized into revenue once the sale or service is complete or delivered. These sales and services are generally short-term in nature and are completed within one month. Other revenues are immaterial to our total revenues.

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Subsidy and Other Revenue outside the Scope of ASC 606 – We receive subsidies from governmental entities to operate and expand our networks. In addition, we have revenue from leasing arrangements. Both of these revenue streams are outside of the scope of ASC 606. 

Interstate access rates are established by a nationwide pooling of companies known as NECA. The FCC established NECA in 1983 to develop and administer interstate access service rates, terms and conditions. Revenues are pooled and redistributed on the basis of a company's actual or average costs. There has been a change in the composition of interstate access charges in recent years, shifting more of the charges to the end user and reducing the amount of access charges paid by the interexchange carriers (IXC’s). We believe this trend will continue.

Intrastate access rates are filed with state regulatory commissions in Minnesota and Iowa.

The Company currently receives funding based on the A-CAM as described below, with the exception of Scott-Rice Telephone Company (Scott-Rice), which receives funding from the Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF). Scott-Rice’s settlements from the pools are based on nationwide average schedules, which includes the pooling and redistribution of revenues based on a company’s actual or average costs as described below. 

A-CAM

As described above, with the exception of Scott-Rice, the remainder of our companies receive funding from A-CAM.

On February 25, 2019, the FCC issued Public Notice DA 19-115, which contained revised offers of A-CAM support and associated revised service deployment obligations. On February 27, 2019, the Company’s BOD authorized and directed the Company to accept the FCC’s revised offer of A-CAM support and the revised associated service deployment obligations. Under the revised FCC offer Notice, the Company will be entitled to annually receive (i) $596,084 for its Iowa operations and (ii) $8,354,481 for its Minnesota operations. The Company will receive the revised A-CAM offer over the next 10 years starting in 2019. The Company will use the additional support that it receives through the A-CAM program to continue to meet its defined broadband build-out obligations, which the Company is currently completing. A letter of acceptance to elect the revised A-CAM support was filed by the Company with the FCC on March 8, 2019. The FCC accepted the Company’s letter on March 11, 2019.

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Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

The following table provides information about our receivables, contracts assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts with our customers:

Quarter Ended March 31,

2021

2020

Accounts receivable, net

$

1,479,643

 

$

1,650,310

Contract assets

522,826

207,909

Contract liabilities

 

901,130

 

 

867,467

Accounts Receivable

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods and services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30-60 days.

Contract Assets

Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract. Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relates to sales commissions. We defer and amortize these costs over the expected customer life as the contract obligations are satisfied. We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contact is commensurate with the commission on the initial contract. During the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized expenses of $38,033 and $13,547, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs. Short-term contract assets are included in current assets under prepaid expenses and other current assets. Long-term contract assets are included in investments and other assets under other assets.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which under the new standard are generally deferred. In addition, contract liabilities include customer deposits that are not recognized into revenue, but are instead returned to the customer after a holding period. Short-term contract liabilities include deferred revenues for advanced payments for managed services and other long-term contracts. This includes the current portion of the deferred revenues that will be recognized monthly within one year. Short-term contract liabilities are included in current liabilities under other accrued liabilities. Long-term contract liabilities include deferred revenues for advanced payments for managed services and other long-term contracts. This includes the portion longer than one year and the corresponding deferred revenues are recognized into revenue on a monthly basis based on the term of the contract. Long-term contract liabilities are included in noncurrent liabilities under other accrued liabilities. During the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized revenues of $174,242 and $135,790, respectively, related to deferred revenues.

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Performance Obligations

ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of March 31, 2021. The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement. The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:

1.The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.

2.Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.

The Company has elected these practical expedients. Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time. For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract. As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

Note 3 – Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which, together with its related clarifying ASUs, provided revised guidance for lease accounting and related disclosure requirements and established a right-to-use (ROU) model that requires lessees to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. The ASU also requires disclosures to allow financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.   

The following table includes the ROU and operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Right of Use Asset

Balance
March 31, 2021

Balance
December 31, 2020

Operating Lease right-of-use assets

 

$

1,138,875

 

$

1,211,707

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Operating Lease Liability

 Balance
March 31, 2021

 Balance
December 31, 2020

Short-Term Operating Lease Liability

 

$

232,976

 

$

243,218

Long-Term Operating Lease Liability

933,874

993,596

Total

 

$

1,166,850

 

$

1,236,814

Maturity analysis under these lease agreements are as follows:

Maturity Analysis

 Balance
March 31, 2021

2021 (remaining)

 

$

223,058

2022

297,729

2023

 

 

297,515

2024

184,649

2025

 

 

67,140

Thereafter

 

365,064

Total

 

 

1,435,155

Less Imputed interest

 

(268,305)

Present Value of Operating Leases

 

$

1,166,850

We amortize our leases over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the asset. Lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $91,877 and $138,084.

 

Note 24 – Fair Value Measurements

 

We have adopted the rules prescribed under GAAP for our financial assets and liabilities. GAAP includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

 

      Level 1:   Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

      Level 2:   Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

      Level 3:   Inputs are derived from valuation techniques where one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

 

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We have used financial derivative instruments to manage our overall cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We accounted for derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP that requires derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments must be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met, in which case, the gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income rather than in earnings.

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement (IRSA)agreements (IRSAs) with our lender, CoBank, ACB (CoBank), to manage our cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. This instrument isThese instruments are designated as cash flow hedgehedges and isare effective at mitigating the risk of fluctuations on interest rates in the market place. Any gains or losses related to changes in the fair value of this derivative isthese derivatives are accounted for as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for as long as the hedge remains effective.

 

The fair value of our IRSAIRSAs is discussed in Note 57 – “Interest Rate Swaps”. The fair value of our swap agreementagreements was determined based on Level 2 inputs.

 

Other Financial Instruments

 

Other Investments - It is difficult to estimate a fair value for equity investments in companies carried on the equity or cost basis due to a lack of quoted market prices. We conducted an evaluation of our investments in all of our companiesinvestees in connection with the preparation of our audited financial statements at December 31, 2016. We2020. As of March 31, 2021, we believe the carrying value of our investments is not impaired.

 

Debt – We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt based on the discounted future cash flows we expect to pay using current rates of borrowing for similar types of debt. Fair value of the debt approximates carrying value.

 

Other Financial Instruments - Our financial instruments also include cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable where the current carrying amounts approximate fair market value.

 

Note 35 – Goodwill and Intangibles

 

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets under GAAP. Under GAAP, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are instead tested for impairment (i) on at least an annual basis and (ii) when changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be below its carrying value. Our goodwill totaled $39,805,349 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.   

As required by GAAP, we do not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, but test for impairment on an annual basis or earlier if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. These circumstances include, but are not limited to (i) a significant adverse change in the business climate, (ii) unanticipated competition or (iii) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. Determining impairment involves estimating the fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of (i) the income or discounted cash flows approach and (ii) the market approach that utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied value of goodwill. We recognize impairment loss when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Our goodwill totaled $49,903,029 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.    

 

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In 20162020 and 2015,2019, we engaged an independent valuation firm to completeaid in the completion of our annual impairment testing for existing goodwill. For 20162020 and 2015,2019, the testing results indicated no impairment charge to goodwill as the determined fair value was sufficient to pass the first step of the impairment test.   

 

Our intangible assets subject to amortization consist of acquired customer relationships, regulatory rights and trade names. We amortize intangible assets with finite lives over their respective estimated useful lives. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment. In addition, we periodically reassess the carrying value, useful lives and classifications of our identifiable intangible assets.

The components of our identified intangible assets are as follows:

 

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

Useful

Lives

March 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Useful Lives

Gross Carrying Amount

Accumulated Amortization

Gross Carrying Amount

Accumulated Amortization

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers Relationships

14-15 yrs

$

29,278,445

$

           16,832,541

$

         29,278,445

$

               15,266,227

14-15 yrs

$

42,878,445

$

26,559,784

$

42,878,445

$

25,811,014

Regulatory Rights

15 yrs

 

 

4,000,000

 

             2,599,977

 

           4,000,000

 

 

                 2,399,979

15 yrs

 

 

4,000,000

 

3,533,301

 

4,000,000

 

3,466,635

Trade Name

3-5 yrs

570,000

                541,500

              570,000

                    456,000

3-5 yrs

310,106

164,929

310,106

149,423

Indefinitely-Lived Intangible Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video Franchise

 

3,000,000

 

 -

 

           3,000,000

 

-

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

3,000,000

 

Spectrum

877,814

877,814

Total

 

 

$

36,848,445

 

$

            19,974,018

 

$

         36,848,445

 

$

               18,122,206

 

 

$

51,066,365

 

$

30,258,014

 

$

51,066,365

 

$

29,427,072

 

 

 

 

Net Identified Intangible Assets

 

 

 

 

$

            16,874,427

 

 

 

$

               18,726,239

 

 

 

 

$

20,808,351

 

 

 

$

21,639,293

 

Amortization expense related to the definite-lived intangible assets was $1,851,812$830,942 and $1,851,985$830,943 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016.2020. Amortization expense for the remaining threenine months of 20172021 and the five years subsequent to 20172021 is estimated to be:

 

·

(October 1 – December 31)

$

617,271

·

2018

$

2,355,083

·

2019

$

2,355,083

·

2020

$

2,355,083

·

2021

$

2,355,038

·

2022

$

983,688

● (April 1 – December 31)

$

2,492,784

● 2022

$

1,952,376

● 2023

$

1,660,295

● 2024

$

1,623,654

● 2025

$

1,618,732

● 2026

$

1,613,809

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Note 46 – Secured Credit Facility

 

We have a credit facility with CoBank. Under the credit facility, we entered into a master loan agreement (MLA) and a series of supplements to the respective MLA.

NU Telecomwith CoBank. Nuvera and its respective subsidiaries also have entered into security agreements under which substantially all the assets of NU TelecomNuvera and its respective subsidiaries have been pledged to CoBank as collateral. In addition, NU TelecomNuvera and its respective subsidiaries have guaranteed all the obligations under the credit facility. These mortgage notes are required to be paid in quarterly installments covering principal and interest, beginning in the year of issueSeptember 2018 and maturing on DecemberJuly 31, 2021.  2025.

 

15


TableWe generally use variable-rate debt to finance our operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. These variable-rate debt obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The terms of Contentsour credit facility with CoBank require that we enter into interest rate agreements designed to protect us against fluctuations in interest rates, in an aggregate principal amount and for a duration determined under the credit facility.

 

On December 31, 2014, NU TelecomAs described in Note 7 – “Interest Rate Swaps,” on August 1, 2018 we entered into an Amended and Restated MLAIRSA with CoBank. The MLA refinanced and replaced theCoBank covering 25 percent of our existing credit facility betweendebt balance or $16,137,500 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank and NU Telecom and the subsidiariesat August 1, 2018. As of NU Telecom. There are two loansMarch 31, 2021, our IRSA covered $12,967,850, with a weighted average rate of 5.27%.

As described in Note 7 – “Interest Rate Swaps,” on August 29, 2019 we entered into a second IRSA with CoBank covering an additional $42,000,000 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank at August 29, 2019. As of March 31, 2021, our IRSA covered $36,346,569, with a weighted average rate of 3.50%.

Our remaining debt of $11.0 million ($10.0 million available under the MLA, which include a $35revolving credit facilities and $1.0 million term loan and a $9 million revolver loan. Also, under the MLA, NU Telecom has the abilitycurrently outstanding) remains subject to either increase the amountvariable interest rates at an effective weighted average interest rate of the commitment under the revolver loan by up to $6 million in a single increase, or add an incremental term loan up to $6 million.2.37%, as of March 31, 2021.

 

As part of the Amended and Restated MLA with CoBank, NU Telecom needed to enter into an interest rate protection agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CoBank so as to fix or limit interest rates payable by NU Telecom at all times to at least 40% of the outstanding principal balance of the $35 million term loan for an initial average weighted life of at least three years.

Our loan agreements include restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to our stockholders. However, we are allowed to pay dividends (a) (i) in an amount up to $2,100,000$2,700,000 in any year if our “Total Leverage Ratio,” that is, the ratio of our “Indebtedness” to “EBITDA” (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization – as defined in the loan documents), is greater than 2.502.00 to 1.00, and (ii) in any amount if our Total Leverage Ratio is less than 2.502.00 to 1.00, and (b) in either case, if we are not in default or potential default under the loan agreements. On MarchDecember 31, 20162020 our Total Leverage Ratio fell below 2.50,2.00, thus eliminating any restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to our stockholders. Our current Total Leverage Ratio at September 30, 2017as of March 31, 2021 is 1.58. 1.90. 

 

Our credit facility requires us to comply with specified financial ratios.ratios and tests. These financial ratios include total leverage ratio, debt service coverage ratio, equity to total assets ratio and fixed coverage ratio.annual maximum aggregate capital expenditures. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all the stipulated financial ratios in our loan agreements.

 

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There are security and loan agreements underlying our current CoBank credit facility that contain restrictions on our distributions to stockholders and investment in, or loans, to others. Also, our credit facility contains restrictions that, among other things, limits or restricts our ability to enter into guarantees and contingent liabilities, incur additional debt, issue stock, transact asset sales, transfers or dispositions, and engage in mergers and acquisitions, without CoBank approval.  

 

As described in Note 5 – “Interest Rate Swaps”, we have entered into an IRSA that effectively fixed our interest rates and cover $14.0 million atOn April 16, 2020, Nuvera received a weighted average rate of 3.72%, as of September 30, 2017. The remaining debt of $23.3 million ($9.0 million available$2,889,000 loan under the revolving credit facilitiesSmall Business Administration’s (SBA’s) PPP, which was established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The PPP Loan was unsecured and $14.3 million currently outstanding) remainswas evidenced by a note in the favor of Citizens as the lender

The interest rate on the Note was 1.0% per annum. Payments of principal and interest were deferred for 180 days from the date of the Note (the deferral period). The PPP provided a mechanism for forgiveness of up to the full amount borrowed as long as Nuvera used the loan proceeds during the 24-week period after the loan origination for eligible purposes, including U.S. payroll costs, certain benefit costs, rent and utilities costs, and maintained its employment and compensation levels, subject to variablecertain other requirements and limitations. The amount of the loan forgiveness was subject to reduction, among other things, if Nuvera terminated employees or reduced salaries or wages during the 24-week period. Any unforgiven portion of the PPP Loan was payable over a two-year term, with payments deferred during the deferral period. Nuvera was permitted to prepay the Note at any time without payment of any premium. The Note contained customary events of material defaults, including, among others, those relating to failure to make a payment, bankruptcy, other indebtedness, breaches of representations, and material adverse changes. The Company adhered to all guidelines under the terms of the Note and applied for debt forgiveness in August, 2020.

On February 3, 2021, the Company was notified by Citizens, the lender on the Company’s PPP Loan that Citizens had received payment in full from the United States federal government for the amount of the Company’s PPP Loan and the Company’s PPP Loan had been fully forgiven. We recognized a gain on the forgiveness of $2,912,433, which included the original amount of the loan plus accrued interest rates at an effective weighted average interest rate of 3.74%, as of September 30, 2017.   in the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

 

Note 57 – Interest Rate Swaps

 

We assess interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely affect expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities.

 

We generally use variable-rate debt to finance our operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. These variable-rate debt obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The terms of our credit facility with CoBank requirerequired that we enter into interest rate agreements designed to protect us against fluctuations in interest rates, in an aggregate principal amount and for a duration determined under the credit facility.

 

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To meet this objective, on June 18, 2015 we have entered into an IRSA with CoBank covering $14.0 million25 percent of our existing outstanding debt balance or $16,137,500 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank. ThisCoBank at August 1, 2018. The swap effectively locked in the interest rate on $14.0 million25 percent of our variable-rate debt through June 2018.July 2025. Under this IRSA, we have changed the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the IRSA, we pay a fixed contractual interest rate and (i) make an additional payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is below a contractual rate or (ii) receive a payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is above the contractual rate.

 

On August 29, 2019 we entered into a second IRSA with CoBank covering an additional $42,000,000 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank at August 29, 2019. The swap effectively locked in a significant portion of our variable-rate debt through July 2025. Under this IRSA, we have changed the variable rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the IRSA, we pay a fixed contractual interest rate and (i) make an additional payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is below a contractual rate or (ii) receive a payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is above the contractual rate.

Each month, we make interest payments to CoBank under its loan agreements based on the current applicable LIBOR Rate plus the contractual LIBOR margin then in effect with respect to the loan, without reflecting our IRSA.IRSAs. At the end of each calendar month, CoBank adjusts our aggregate interest payments based on the difference, if any, between the amounts paid by us during the month and the current effective interest rate. Net interest payments are reported in our consolidated income statement as interest expense.

 

Our IRSAIRSAs under our credit facilities qualifiesboth qualify as a cash flow hedgehedges for accounting purposes under GAAP. We reflect the effect of thisthese hedging transactiontransactions in the financial statements. The unrealized gain/loss is reported in other comprehensive income. If we terminate our IRSA,IRSAs, the cumulative change in fair value at the date of termination would be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, which is classified in stockholders’ equity, into earnings on the consolidated statements of income.

 

The fair value of the Company’s IRSA wasIRSAs were determined based on valuations received from CoBank and arewere based on the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates appropriate with the terms of the IRSA.IRSAs. The fair value indicates an estimated amount we would be required to pay if the contracts were canceled or transferred to other parties. At September 30, 2017,On March 31, 2021, the fair value receivableliability of the swapthese swaps was $18,860,$1,776,057, which has been recorded net of deferred tax expensebenefit of $7,633, for$506,887, resulting in the $11,227$1,269,170 in accumulated other comprehensive income.loss. 

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Note 68 – Other Investments  

 

We are a co-investor with other rural telephonecommunication companies in several partnerships and limited liability companies. These joint ventures make it possible to offer services to customers, including digital video services and fiber-opticfiber transport services that we would have difficulty offering on our own. These joint ventures also make it possible to invest in new technologies with a lower level of financial risk. We recognize income and losses from these investments on the equity method of accounting. See Note 10 – “Segment Information” forFor a listing of our investments.investments, see Note 11 – “Segment Information.” 

The FASB requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.   

 

Note 79 – Guarantees

 

NU TelecomNuvera has guaranteed a portion of a ten-year loan owed by FiberComm, LC, maturingset to mature on SeptemberApril 30, 2021.2026. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, we have recorded a liability of $185,052$261,087 in connection with the guarantee on this loan. This guarantee may be exercised if FiberComm, LC does not make its required payments on this note.

 

Note 810Deferred CompensationRestricted Stock Units (RSU)

 

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have recorded other deferred compensation relating to executive compensation payable to certain former executives of past acquisitions.  

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Note 9 - Restricted Stock Units

On February 24, 2017, our Board of DirectorsOur BOD adopted the New Ulm Telecom, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Stock Plan (2017 Plan) effective May 25, 2017. The shareholders of the Company approved the planPlan at the May 25, 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The 2017Plan enables the Company to grant stock incentive awards to current and new employees, including officers, and to Board members and service providers. The Plan permits stock incentive awards in the form of options (incentive and non-qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units,RSUs, performance stock, performance units, and other awards in stock or cash. The 2017 Plan permits the issuance of up to 625,000 shares of our Common Stock in any of the above stock awards. As of March 31, 2021, 569,392 shares remain available to be issued under the Plan.

 

On July 25,Starting in 2017 and each subsequent year following 2017, our Board of DirectorsBOD and Compensation Committee granted 6,077 shares of restricted stock units inawards to the Common Stock ofCompany’s executive officers under the Company to its executive officers.Plan. We recognize share-based compensation expense for these restricted stock unitsRSUs over the vesting period of the restricted stock units,RSUs which wasis determined by our BoardBOD. Forfeitures of Directors.RSU’s are accounted for as they occur. Each executive officer received or may receive time-based RSUs and performance-based RSUs. The 2017 restrictedtime-based RSUs are computed as a percentage of the executive officer’s base salary based on the closing price of Company common stock unitson a date set by the BOD, and will vest over a three-year period based on December 31, 2019, at which point, the executivesexecutive officer being employed by the Company on the vesting date. The performance-based RSUs are also computed as a percentage of the executive officer’s base salary based on the closing price of Company common stock on a date set by the BOD, and will vest over a three-year period based on the Company attaining an average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) over that three-year period. The ROIC target is set by the BOD. Executive officers may earn more or less performance-based RSU’s based on if the actual ROIC over the time period is more or less than target. Upon vesting of either time-based or performance-based RSUs, the executive officers will be able to receive Common Stock in the Company in exchange for the restricted stock units.RSUs.

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RSUs currently issued and outstanding are as follows:

Restricted Stock Units Issued/(Forfeited)

  

Time-Based RSU's

 

Targeted  Performance-Based RSU's

 

Closing Stock Price

 

Vesting Date

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

8,379

 

9,781 

 

 

 

 

 

 Issued

 

4,163

 

  - 

 

 $

16.64

 

12/8/2022

 Issued

 

  - 

 

6,461 

 

 $

16.64

 

12/31/2022

 Exercised

 

(2,062)

 

(2,082)

 

 $

19.00

 

12/31/2019

 Exercised

 

 (1,588)

 

  - 

 

 $

19.44

 

12/11/2020

 Forfeited

 

 (1,254)

 

(4,549)

     

Balance at December 31, 2020

 

7,638 

 

9,611 

 

 

 

 

 

 Issued

 

3,364

 

 5,247

 

 $

21.90

 

12/31/2023

 Exercised

 

 

(1,588)

 

$

23.67

 

12/31/2020

Balance at March 31, 2021

 

11,002 

 

13,270

     

 

Note 1011 – Segment Information  

We operate in the TelecomCommunications Segment and have no other significant business segments. The TelecomCommunications Segment consists of voice, data and video communication services delivered to the customer over our local communications network. No single customer accounted for a material portion of our consolidated revenues.

 

The TelecomCommunications Segment operates the following incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs)communications companies and has investment ownership interests as follows:

 

TelecomCommunications Segment

 

Communications Companies:

  Nuvera Communications, Inc., the parent company;

  Hutchinson Telephone Company (HTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera;

  Peoples Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera;

  Scott-Rice Telephone Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera;

  Sleepy Eye Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera;

ILECs:

New Ulm Telecom, Inc., the parent company;

Hutchinson Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NU Telecom;

Peoples Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NU Telecom;

Sleepy Eye Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NU Telecom;

Western Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NU Telecom.

CLECs:

NU Telecom, located in Redwood Falls, Minnesota; 

Hutchinson Telecommunications, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HTC, located in Litchfield and Glencoe, Minnesota.

Our investments and interests in the following entities include some management responsibilities:

FiberComm, LC – 20.00% subsidiary equity ownership interest. FiberComm, LC is located in Sioux City, Iowa;

Broadband Visions, LLC – 24.30% subsidiary equity ownership interest. Broadband Visions, LLC provides video headend and Internet services;

Independent Emergency Services, LLC – 14.29% subsidiary equity ownership interest. Independent Emergency Services, LLC is a provider of E-911 services to the State of Minnesota as well as a number of counties located in Minnesota;

SM Broadband, LLC – 12.50% subsidiary equity ownership interest. SM Broadband Services, LLC provides network connectivity for regional businesses.

 

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  Western Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; and

  Hutchinson Telecommunications, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HTC, located in Litchfield and Glencoe, Minnesota;

● Our investments and interests in the following entities include some management responsibilities:

  FiberComm, LC – 20.00% subsidiary equity ownership interest. FiberComm, LC is located in Sioux City, Iowa;

  Broadband Visions, LLC (BBV) – 24.30% subsidiary equity ownership interest. BBV provides video headend and Internet services;

  Independent Emergency Services, LLC (IES) – 14.29% subsidiary equity ownership interest. IES is a provider of E-911 services to the State of Minnesota as well as a number of counties located in Minnesota; and

  SM Broadband, LLC (SMB) – 9.09% subsidiary equity ownership interest. SMB provides network connectivity for regional businesses.

 

Note 11 12 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

We are involved in certain contractual disputes in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of any of these existing matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We did not experience any changes to material contractual obligations in the first ninethree months of 2017.2021. Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162020 for the discussion relating to commitments and contingencies.

Note 13 – Broadband Grants

In November 2017, the Company was awarded a broadband grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The grant provided up to 42.6% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company was eligible to receive $736,598 of the $1,727,998 total project costs. The Company provided the remaining 57.4% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects began in 2018. We have received $650,208 for these projects as of March 31, 2021.  

In January 2020, the Company was awarded a broadband grant from DEED. The grant will provide up to 36.5% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $730,000 of approximately $2,000,000 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 63.5% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects began in the spring of 2020. We have not received any funds for these projects as of March 31, 2021.

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On January 29, 2021, the Company was awarded five broadband grants from the DEED. The grants will provide up to 35.4% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $1,918,037 of the approximately $5,419,617 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 64.6% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects began in the spring of 2021. We have not received any funds for these projects as of March 31, 2021.     

 

Note 1214 – Subsequent Events

 

We have evaluated and disclosed subsequent events through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

 

TheFrom time to time, in reports filed with the SEC, encourages companiesin press releases, and in other communications to discloseshareholders or the investing public, we may make forward-looking information sostatements concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, business activities or plans. These statements generally are identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “seeks,” “targets,” “continues,” “should,” “will be,” “will continue,” or similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that investors can better understand a company’s future prospectsmay cause actual results, performance or achievements of Nuvera and make informed investment decisions. Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, includingits subsidiaries to be different from those relating to the impact on future revenue sources, pending and future regulatory orders, continued expansion of the telecommunications network and expected changesexpressed or implied in the sourcesforward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: i) unfavorable general economic conditions that could negatively affect our operating results; ii) substantial regulatory change and increased competition; iii) our possible pursuit of acquisitions could be expensive or not successful; iv) we may not accurately predict technological trends or the success of new products; v) shifts in our revenueproduct mix may result in declines in our operating profitability; vi) possible consolidation among our customers; vii) a failure in our operational systems or infrastructure could affect our operations; viii) data security breaches; ix) possible replacement of key personnel; x) elimination of governmental network support we receive; xi) our current debt structure may change due to increases in interest rates or our ability to comply with lender loan covenants and cost structure resulting from our entrance into new communications markets, arexii) possible customer payment defaults. For these forward-looking statements, and are made pursuant towe claim the protection of the safe harbor provisions offor forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains safe harbor provisions regarding forward-looking statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements. These statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to anticipated future operatingfederal securities laws. Shareholders and financial performance, growth opportunities and growth rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business strategies, business and competitive outlook, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “targets”, “projects”, “will”, “may”, “continues” and “should”, and variations ofthe investing public should understand that these words and similar expressions, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties thatwhich could affect our actual results and cause our actual results to differ materially from suchthose indicated in the forward-looking statements.

 

Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions and the fact that any forward-looking statements made by us and our management are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management, they are not guarantees of future performance and you should not place undue reliance on them. In addition, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, which is the filing date of this Form 10-Q. With the exception of the requirements set forth in the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations stated in this Form 10-Q, are based upon NU Telecom’sNuvera’s consolidated unaudited financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, rules and regulations of the SEC and, where applicable, conform to the accounting principles as prescribed by federal and state telephone utility regulatory authorities. We presently give accounting recognition to the actions of regulators where appropriate. The preparation of our financial statements requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.liabilities at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our senior management has discussed the development and selection of accounting estimates and the related Management Discussion and Analysis disclosure with our Audit Committee. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Results of Operations

Overview

 

NU TelecomNuvera has a state-of-the-art; fiber-rich communications network and offers a diverse array of communications products and services. Our businessesWe provide local telephonevoice service and network access to other telecommunicationscommunications carriers for connections to our networks. In addition, we provide long distance service, broadband Internet access, video services, and managed and hosted solutions services.

 

Our operations consist primarily of providing services to customers for a monthly charge. Because many of these services are recurring in nature, backlog orders and seasonality are not significant factors. Our working capital requirements include financing the construction of our networks, which consists of switches and cable, data, Internet protocol (IP) and digital TV.networks. We also require capital to maintain our networks and infrastructure; fund the payroll costs of our highly skilled labor force; maintain inventory to service capital projects, our network and our telephone equipment customers; pay dividends and provide for the carrying value of trade accounts receivable, some of which may take several months to collect in the normal course of business.business.

 

Executive SummaryImpact of COVID-19 on Our Business

 

·      Effective January 1, 2017Through March 31, 2021, the Company no longer receives funding from the FUSFCOVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on our business. We continue to operate with some modifications because, based on the poolingvarious published standards to date, the work our employees are performing, particularly with respect to providing communication services required by our customers is critical, essential and redistributionlife-sustaining.

We took actions intended to protect our employees and our customers that adversely affected our results.

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First, we restricted public access to our offices and halted all customer in-location service installations and performed those installations remotely, which resulted in lower sales and installations through the third quarter of 2020. Many of our locations have re-opened to the public but with restrictions which has caused lower customer traffic and lower sales;

Second, many of our customers either closed their locations or operated at significantly diminished capacity as a result of local and national actions taken, such as stay-at-home mandates that reduced business activity, which negatively impacted sales and increased our customer churn for our legacy voice and video products;

Third, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased traffic on our networks as the State of Minnesota had issued executive orders requiring remote-learning for schools, the shutdown of non-essential businesses and a work-from home order for many workers in multiple industries;

Fourth, although we have seen an increase in customers for our internet product including increased demand for higher bandwidth speeds that increase has not been able to offset the loss in customers we have experienced in our legacy voice and video products. We also expect that due to the number of job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic that a number of our customers may have difficulty in paying for their existing services which will affect our ability to ultimately collect from and retain those customers; and

Fifth, social actions taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic produced increased costs for us through significant demand for personal protection equipment and sanitation products to protect our employees and customers.

In the first quarter of 2021 many of the markets in which we operate have begun to ease restrictions that were in place earlier in 2020 and a number of United States residents, including, a portion of our customers have been vaccinated in the period. This had two effects.

The first was to improve the outlook in the sales and installation of our internet products; and

The second was that the increased traffic on our networks has somewhat eased as we had made substantial investments in 2020 to accommodate the increased traffic we had seen on our networks due to the pandemic.

In the first quarter of 2021 viral infections have begun to decrease as vaccinations have become available to United States residents. However, we cannot predict when and if these vaccinations will completely eliminate the risks from Covid-19. As a result, there remains significant uncertainty concerning the magnitude of the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors deriving from the COVID-19 response that have or may negatively impact sales and gross margins in the future include, but are not limited to: limitations on the ability of our suppliers and content providers to manufacture, or procure from manufactures, the products and services we sell, or to meet delivery and installation requirements and commitments; limitations on the ability of our employees to perform their work due to illness caused by the pandemic or local, state, or federal orders requiring employees to remain at home; limitations on the ability of carriers to deliver our products or our inability to install our products; limitations on the ability of our customers to conduct business and purchase our products and services; and limitations on the ability of our customers to pay us on a company's actual or average costs, but has instead, elected to receive funding based on the A-CAM. See pages 10-11 for a discussion regarding the A-CAM.timely basis.

 

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In the first quarter of 2021, we have seen an IRSA with CoBank covering (i) $14.0 millionincrease in our revenues due to internet growth mentioned above, however, we continue to see an accelerated loss in our voice service and video service customers as those customers make choices about their entertainment needs and personal finances in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have also experienced increased costs in the first quarter of 2021 which have affected our margins.  

With respect to liquidity, we continue to evaluate costs and spending across our organization. This includes evaluating discretionary spending and non-essential capital investment expenditures. As of March 31, 2021, we have our entire $10M bank revolver available for use in the event that the need arises. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our aggregate indebtednessemployees, customers, suppliers and shareholders.

The full extent to CoBank effective June 18, 2015. This swap effectively lockedwhich the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict, including: the duration and scope of the pandemic; governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic; the availability and cost to access the capital markets; the effect on our customers and customer demand for and ability to pay for our services; disruptions or restrictions on our employees’ ability to work and travel; interruptions or restrictions related to the provision of our services, including impacts on content delivery networks and; and any stoppages, disruptions or increased costs associated with our operations. During the COVID-19 crisis, we may not be able to provide the same level of customer service and product installation, that our customers are used to which could negatively impact their perception of our service resulting in an increase in service cancellations. If we need to access the capital markets, there can be no assurance that financing may be available on attractive terms, if at all. We will continue to actively monitor the issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and may take further actions that alter our operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities, or that we determine are in the interest ratebest interests of our employees, customers, partners and stockholders.  While we are unable to determine or predict the nature, duration or scope of the overall impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on $14.0 millionour business, results of variable-rate debt through June 2018. Underoperations, liquidity or capital resources, we believe that it is important to share where our company stands today, how our response to COVID-19 is progressing and how our operations and financial condition may change as the IRSA, we have changed the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of this IRSA, we pay a fixed contractual interest rate and (i) make an additional payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is below a contractual rate or (ii) receive a payment if the LIBOR variable rate payment is above the contractual rate.   fight against COVID-19 progresses.

 

·     

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Executive Summary

Highlights:

On December 1, 2015January 29, 2021, the Minnesota State Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced NU Telecom as one ofCompany was awarded five broadband grants from the companies that would receive stateDEED. The grants for broadband development. The State announced a total of $11 million in grants through the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. The winners came out of a pool of 44 grant applicants requesting more than $29 million. NU Telecom waswill provide up to receive $115,934 of the $244,125, or 47.5%,35.4% of the total project costs to build fiber connections to 24 homes and businesses in an area northeastcost of Goodhue. NU Telecom completed the project in late 2016. At September 30, 2017 the Company has received $115,934 from this grant.

·      On January 12, 2017 the DEED announced NU Telecom as one of the companies that will receive state grants for broadband development. NU Telecom received three of the forty-two grants announced by Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith. A total of $34 million was awarded by DEED with the aim of providing reliable, affordable high-speed internet to more than 16,000 households, more than 2,000 businesses and more than 70 community institutions throughout the state. NU Telecom will receive $850,486 of the $1,889,968, or 45%, of the total project costs to buildbuilding fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the rural areasCompany’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $1,918,037 of Hanskathe approximately $5,419,617 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 64.6% matching funds. Construction and Mazeppa and in and around Bellechester. Construction on one of theexpenditures for these projects began in the spring of 20172021. We have not received any funds for these projects as of March 31, 2021.  

On April 16, 2020, Nuvera received a $2,889,000 loan under the SBA’s PPP. The PPP was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for a required period under the program starting April 16, 2020 and the constructionloan funds were used for payroll, rent and utilities. Nuvera retained employment of all employees through this period and followed all the SBA rules regarding this loan. The Company applied for debt forgiveness in August, 2020. On February 3, 2021, the Company was notified by Citizens, the lender on the other twoCompany’s PPP Loan that Citizens has received payment in full from the United States federal government for the amount of the Company’s PPP Loan and the Company’s PPP Loan had been fully forgiven.

In January 2020, the Company was awarded a broadband grant from the DEED. The grant will provide up to 36.5% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $730,000 of the approximately $2,000,000 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 63.5% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects began in the summerspring of 2017. Grant2020. We have not yet received any funds will be received by NU Telecomfor these projects as work progresses and costs are provided to DEED.  At September 30, 2017 we had submitted invoices to the State totaling $51,224, which we received in early October.of March 31, 2021.    

 

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·      Net income for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172021 totaled $1,416,009,$5,180,711, which was a $662,198$2,559,903, or 87.85%97.68% increase compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in operating revenues,the debt forgiveness from the PPP Loan described above and decreased interest expense, partially offset by an increasea decrease in operating expenses,income, all of which are described below.

 

·      Consolidated revenue for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172021 totaled $11,850,033,$16,478,123, which was a $1,077,262$311,065 or 10.0%1.92% increase compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our A-CAM funding support based on the Company’s election to receive funding under A-CAM (see pages 10-11), and increased video and data revenues. These increases wereservice revenue, partially offset by a decreasedecreases in localvoice service, network access revenues and other non-regulated revenues, allFUSF subsidies.

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Table of which are described below.Contents

 

Business Trends

 

Included below is a synopsis of business trends management believes will continue to affect our business in 2017. 2021. 

 

Voice and switched access revenues are expected to continue to be adversely impacted by future declines in access lines due to competition in the telecommunicationscommunications industry from cable televisionCATV providers, (CATV), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)VoIP providers, wireless, other competitors, emerging technologies and emerging technologies.the ongoing effects of COVID-19. As we experience access line losses, our switched access revenue will continue to decline consistent with industry-wide trends. A combination of changing minutes of use, carriers optimizing their network costs, and lower demand for dedicated lines and downward rate pressures may affect our future voice and switched access revenues. Access line decreaseslosses totaled 1,9152,409 or 8.04%11.21% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 due to the reasons mentioned above.    

 

The expansion of our state-of-the-art; fiber-rich communications network, growth in broadband customer sales along with continued migration to higher connectivity speeds and the sales of Internet value-added services such as on-line data backup, and hosted and managed service solutions are expected to continue to offset the revenue declines from the access line trends discussed above.

 

To be competitive, we continue to emphasize the bundling of our products and services. Our customers have the option to bundle local phone, high-speed Internet, long distance and video services. These bundles provide our customers with one convenient location to obtain all of their communications and entertainment options, a convenient billing solution and bundle discounts. We believe that product bundles positively impact our customer retention, and the associated discounts provide our customers the best value for their communications and entertainment options. We have a state-of-the-art, fiber-rich broadband network, which, along with the bundling of our voice, Internet and video services allows us to meet customer demands for products and services. We continue to focus on the research and deployment of advanced technological products that include broadband services, wireless services, private line, VoIP, digital video, IPTV and hosted and managed services.

 

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We continue to evaluate our operating structure to identify opportunities for increased operational efficiencies and effectiveness. This involves evaluating opportunities for task automation, network efficiency and the balancing of our workforce based on the current needs of our customers.

 

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Financial results for the TelecomCommunications Segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are included below:

 

Telecom Segment

Three Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

Increase (Decrease)

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Service

$

1,463,734

$

1,479,214

$

(15,480)

-1.05%

Network Access

 

1,809,143

 

 

1,860,389

 

 

(51,246)

 

 

-2.75%

Video

2,444,849

2,353,013

91,836

3.90%

Data

 

2,992,250

 

 

2,966,475

 

 

25,775

 

 

0.87%

A-CAM/FUSF

1,961,457

926,163

1,035,294

111.78%

Other Non-Regulated

 

1,178,600

 

 

1,187,517

 

 

(8,917)

 

 

-0.75%

Total Operating Revenues

 

11,850,033

 

10,772,771

 

1,077,262

 

10.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Services, Excluding Depreciation
    and Amortization

5,177,737

4,994,356

183,381

3.67%

Selling, General and Administrative

 

1,660,991

 

 

1,778,564

 

 

(117,573)

 

 

-6.61%

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

 

2,414,445

 

2,444,064

 

(29,619)

 

-1.21%

Total Operating Expenses

 

9,253,173

 

 

9,216,984

 

36,189

 

 

0.39%

Operating Income

$

2,596,860

 

$

1,555,787

 

$

1,041,073

 

 

66.92%

Net Income

$

1,416,009

 

$

753,811

 

$

662,198

 

 

87.85%

Capital Expenditures

$

1,583,945

 

$

1,307,492

 

$

276,453

 

 

21.14%

Certain historical numbers have been changed to conform to the current year's presentation.

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Communications Segment

        

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

  

2017

2016

Increase (Decrease)

 

2021

 

2020

 

Increase (Decrease)

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Service

$

4,422,480

$

4,413,315

$

9,165

0.21%

Voice Service

 

$

1,551,278

 

$

1,748,696

 

$

(197,418)

 

-11.29%

Network Access

 

5,197,332

 

5,446,121

 

(248,789)

 

-4.57%

 

1,582,440

 

1,631,942

 

(49,502)

 

-3.03%

Video

7,234,486

6,993,456

241,030

3.45%

Data

 

9,083,545

 

8,631,216

 

452,329

 

5.24%

Video Service

 

3,028,877

 

2,981,594

 

47,283

 

1.59%

Data Service

 

6,267,971

 

5,651,518

 

616,453

 

10.91%

A-CAM/FUSF

6,011,779

2,740,159

3,271,620

119.40%

 

2,968,195

 

3,099,035

 

(130,840)

 

-4.22%

Other

 

3,245,532

 

 

3,407,436

 

 

(161,904)

 

-4.75%

 

 

1,079,362

 

 

1,054,273

 

 

25,089

 

2.38%

Total Operating Revenues

 

35,195,154

 

31,631,703

 

3,563,451

11.27%

 

 

16,478,123

 

 

16,167,058

 

 

311,065

 

1.92%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Services, Excluding Depreciation and
Amortization

15,421,883

15,041,444

380,439

2.53%

 

7,506,841

 

6,936,497

 

570,344

 

8.22%

Selling, General and Administrative

 

5,346,808

 

5,255,747

 

91,061

 

1.73%

 

2,663,890

 

2,670,868

 

(6,978)

 

-0.26%

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

 

7,281,747

 

7,326,505

 

(44,758)

-0.61%

 

 

3,071,572

 

 

3,052,102

 

 

19,470

 

0.64%

Total Operating Expenses

 

28,050,438

 

 

27,623,696

 

426,742

 

1.54%

 

 

13,242,303

 

 

12,659,467

 

 

582,836

 

4.60%

        

Operating Income

$

7,144,716

 

$

4,008,007

 

$

3,136,709

 

78.26%

 

$

3,235,820

 

$

3,507,591

 

$

(271,771)

 

-7.75%

        

Net Income

$

4,043,337

 

$

2,220,718

 

$

1,822,619

 

82.07%

 

$

5,180,711

 

$

2,620,808

 

$

2,559,903

 

97.68%

        

Capital Expenditures

$

3,257,853

 

$

4,249,841

 

$

(991,988)

 

-23.34%

 

$

1,740,415

 

$

1,754,189

 

$

(13,774)

 

-0.79%

        

Key metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Lines

21,913

23,828

                 (1,915)

-8.04%

 

19,088

 

21,497

 

(2,409)

 

-11.21%

Video Customers

 

10,357

 

10,494

 

                    (137)

 

-1.31%

 

10,766

 

11,458

 

(692)

 

-6.04%

Broadband Customers

16,236

15,548

                     688

4.43%

 

31,883

 

30,115

 

1,768

 

5.87%

        

Certain historical numbers have been changed to conform to the current year's presentation.

Certain historical numbers have been changed to conform to the current year's presentation.

Certain historical numbers have been changed to conform to the current year's presentation.

 

Revenue

 

LocalVoice Service– We receive recurring revenue for basic localvoice services that enable customers to make and receive telephone calls within a defined local calling area for a flat monthly fee. In addition to subscribing to basic local telephonevoice services, our customers may choose from a variety of custom calling features such as call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification and voicemail. LocalVoice service revenue was $1,463,734,$1,551,278, which is $15,480$197,418 or 1.05%11.29% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the declinea decrease in access lines, which continues to be impacted by the on-going effects of COVID-19, partially offset by a combination of rate increases implemented inintroduced into several of our markets in 2016the first quarters of 2021 and 2017.  Local service revenue was $4,422,480, which is $9,165 or 0.21% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This increase was primarily due to rate increases implemented in several of our markets in 2016 and 2017, partially offset by the decline in access lines.2020.    

 

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The number of access lines we serve as a company have been decreasing, which is consistent with a general industry trend, as customers are increasingly utilizing other technologies, such as wireless phones and IP services. To help offset declines in localvoice service revenue, we implemented an overall strategy that continues to focus on selling a competitive bundle of services. Our focus on marketing competitive service bundles to our customers creates value for the customer and aids in the retention of our voice lines.

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Network Access – We provide access services to other telecommunicationscommunications carriers for the use of our facilities to terminate or originate traffic on our network. Additionally, we bill subscriber line charges (SLCs)SLCs to substantially all of our customers for access to the public switched network. These monthly SLCs are regulated and approved by the FCC. In addition, network access revenue is derived from several federally administered pooling arrangements designed to provide network support and distribute funding to ILECs.communications companies.  Network access revenue was $1,809,143,$1,582,440, which is $51,246$49,502 or 2.75%3.03% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This decrease was $5,197,332, which is $248,789 or 4.57% lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These decreases were primarily due to lower minutes of use on our network. network and lower special access revenues, which continues to be impacted by the on-going effects of COVID-19.

 

In recent years, IXCs and others have become more aggressive in disputing both interstate carrier access charges and the applicability of access charges to their network traffic. We believe that long distance and other communication providers will continue to challenge the applicability of access charges either before the FCC or directly with the LECs.local exchange carriers. We cannot predict the likelihood of future claims and cannot estimate the impact.

 

Video Service – We receive monthly recurring revenue from our subscribers for providing commercial TV programming in competition with local CATV, satellite dish TV and off-air TV service providers. We serve seventeentwenty-two communities with our IPTV services and five communities with our CATV services. Video service revenue was $2,444,849,$3,028,877, which is $91,836$47,283 or 3.90%1.59% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $7,234,486, which is $241,030 or 3.45% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to a combination of rate increases introduced into several of our markets, over the course of the last several years. Also contributing to the increasepartially offset by a decrease in video revenues was an increased demand for our high definition and digital video recording services.customers, which continues to be impacted by the on-going effects of COVID-19.   

 

Data Service – We provide high speed Internet to business and residential customers. Our revenue is earned based on the offering of various flat rate packages based on the level of service, data speeds and features. We also provide e-mail and managed services, such as web hosting and design, on-line file back up and on-line file storage. Data service revenue was $2,992,250,$6,267,971, which is $25,775$616,453 or 0.87%10.91% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $9,083,545, which is $452,329 or 5.24% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to an increase in data customers and increased managed services revenues.customers upgrading their packages and speeds. We expect continued growth in this area will be driven by expansion of our service areas, our aggressively packaging service bundles and marketing managed service solutions to businesses.

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A-CAM/FUSF –Prior to 2017, In 2019, the Company received supportelected to receive funding from A-CAM, with the exception of Scott-Rice, which still receives funding from the FUSF based on the pooling and redistribution of revenues based on a company’s actual or average costs.FUSF. See page 10Note 2 – “Revenue Recognition” for a discussion regarding A-CAM and FUSF.

 

Effective January 1, 2017 the Company no longer receives support from the FUSF, but has instead, elected to receive support based on the A-CAM. See pages 10-11 for a discussion regarding the A-CAM.

A-CAM/FUSF support totaled $1,961,457,$2,968,195, which is $1,035,294$130,840 or 111.78% higher4.22% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. A-CAM/March 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to lower FUSF support totaled $6,011,779, which is $3,271,620 or 119.40% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 comparedreceived for Scott-Rice due to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. 

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Table of Contentsdeclining access lines.

 

Other Revenue – Our customers are billed for toll and long-distance services on either a per call or flat-rate basis. This also includes the offering of directory assistance, operator service and long distance private lines. We also generate revenue from directory publishing through an outside vendor, sales and service of customer premise equipment (CPE),CPE, bill processing and other customer services. Our directory publishing revenue in our telephone directories recurs monthly. We also provide retail sales and service of cellular phones and accessories through Telespire, a national wireless provider. We resell these wireless services as TechTrendsNuvera Wireless, our branded product. We receive both recurring revenue for our wireless services, as well as revenue collected for the sales of wireless phones and accessories. Other revenue was $1,178,600,$1,079,362, which is $8,917$25,089 or 0.75% lower2.38% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $3,245,532, which is $161,904 or 4.75% lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These decreases were primarily due to decreasesan increase in the sales and installation of CPE.

 

Cost of Services (excluding Depreciation and Amortization)

 

Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) was $5,177,737,$7,506,841, which is $183,381$570,344 or 3.67%8.22% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $15,421,883, which is $380,439 or 2.53% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to higher programming costs from video content providers, and higher costs associated with increased maintenance and support agreements on our equipment and software.software, and increased cost to maintain a highly skilled workforce.     

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,660,991,$2,663,890, which is $117,573$6,978 or 6.61%0.26% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to lower costs associated with professionalthe continuation of cost containment measures implemented in 2020 by the Company due to COVID-19.

Depreciation and consulting services.  Selling, generalAmortization

Depreciation and administrative expenses were $5,346,808,amortization was $3,071,572, which is $91,061$19,470 or 1.73%0.64% higher in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020. This increase was primarily due to higher costs associated with professional and consulting services.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization was $2,414,445, which is $29,619 or 1.21% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and was $7,281,747, which is $44,758 or 0.61% lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These decreases were primarily due to portions of our legacy telephone network becoming fully depreciated. These decreases were partially offset by increased depreciation associated with increases in our broadband property, plant and equipment, reflecting our continual investment in technology and infrastructure in order to meet our customers’ demands for products and services.

 

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Operating Income

Operating income was $2,596,860,$3,235,820, which is $1,041,073$271,771 or 66.92%7.75% lower in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to higher operating expenses, partially offset by higher operating revenues, all of which are described above.
 

See Consolidated Statements of Income (for discussion below)

Other Income (Expense) and Interest Expense 

Interest expense was $565,374, which is $118,289 or 17.30% lower in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances in connection with our credit facility with CoBank.

Interest and dividend income was $101,402, which is $55,209 or 119.52% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Operating incomeMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $7,144,716, which is $3,136,709 or 78.26% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to an increase in revenues, partially offset by an increase in expenses, all of which are described above.dividend income earned on our investments.

 

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TableOn February 3, 2021, the Company was notified by Citizens, the lender on the Company’s PPP Loan, that Citizens has received payment-in-full from the United States federal government for the amount of Contentsthe Company’s PPP Loan and the Company’s PPP Loan had been fully forgiven resulting in a gain on debt forgiveness of $2,912,433, which was the total of the PPP Loan plus accrued interest on the loan.

 

See Consolidated Statements of Income on Page 3 (for discussion below)

Interest Expense and Other Income 

Interest expense was $288,258, which is $62,287 or 17.77% lower inincome for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2021 and was $910,024, which is $168,809 or 15.65% lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These decreases were primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances.    

Interest and dividend income was $22,283, which is $5,642 or 33.90% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and was $95,401, which is $3,777 or 4.12% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to an increase in interest income earned on our increased cash balances. 

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 20162020, included a patronage credit earned with CoBank, aswhich was a result of our debt agreements with them. The patronage credit allocated and received in 20172021 was $337,137,$625,490, compared to $386,843$647,369 allocated and received in 2016.2020. CoBank determines and pays the patronage credit annually, generally in the first quarter of the calendar year, based on its results from the prior year. We record these patronage credits as income when they are received.

 

Other investment income was $93,626,$66,048, which is $19,170$15,283 or 25.75% higher18.79% lower in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 and was $255,742, which is $150,075 or 36.98% lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020. Other investment income is primarily from our equity ownershipownerships in several partnerships and limited liability companies.

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense was $1,025,382,$1,205,100, which is $479,520$185,899 or 87.85%18.24% higher in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 andMarch 31, 2020. This increase was $2,927,937, which is $1,319,829 or 82.07% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These increases were primarily due to higher pre-tax netrecognizing Minnesota state income taxes applicable on the PPP Loan Forgiveness (the PPP Loan was federally tax exempt) and a decrease in 2017 compared to 2016.interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in operating income. The effective income tax ratesrate for both the ninethree months ending September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016 were2020 was approximately 42.00%.18.87% and 28.0%, respectively. The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes and other permanent differences.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Capital Structure

 

NU Telecom’sNuvera’s total capital structure (long-term and short-term debt obligations, net of unamortized loan fees plus stockholders’ equity) was $91,035,253 at September 30, 2017,$142,911,659 as of March 31, 2021, reflecting 69.2%65.1% equity and 30.8%34.9% debt. This compares to a capital structure of $91,872,382$141,570,577 at December 31, 2016,2020, reflecting 65.6%61.9% equity and 34.4%38.1% debt. In the telecommunicationscommunications industry, debt financing is most often based on operating cash flows. Specifically, our current use of our credit facilities is in a ratio of approximately 1.581.90 times debt to EBITDA (as defined in the loan documents), which is well within acceptable limits for our agreements and our industry. Our management believes adequate operating cash flows and other internal and external resources, such as our cash on hand, and revolving credit facility are available to finance ongoing operating requirements, including critical capital expenditures, business development, debt service and temporary financing of trade accounts receivable and dividends.

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Liquidity Outlook

 

Our short-term and long-term liquidity needs arise primarily from (i) capital expenditures; (ii) working capital requirements needed to support the growth of our business;growth; (iii) debt service; (iv) dividend payments on our stock and (v) potential acquisitions.

 

Our primary sources of liquidity for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 were proceeds from cash generated from operations and cash reserves held at the beginning of the period. At September 30, 2017As of March 31, 2021 we had a working capital surplus of $32,288.$7,190,905. In addition, at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, we also had approximately $9.0$10.0 million available under our revolving credit facility to fund any short-term working capital needs. The working capital surplus as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 was primarily the result of increased operating cash flows which has allowed the Company to fund operations, purchase capital equipment, pay dividends, pay down debtbalances and increase cash reserves.a lower current portion due on our long-term debt.

 

Cash Flows

 

We expect our liquidity needs to include capital expenditures, payment of interest and principal on our indebtedness, income taxes and dividends. We use our cash inflow to manage the temporary increases in cash demand and utilize our revolving credit facility to manage more significant fluctuations in liquidity caused by growth initiatives.

 

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While it is often difficult for us to predict the impact of general economic conditions, including the impact of COVID-19 on our business,us, we believe that we will be able to meet our current and long-term cash requirements primarily through our operating cash flows and anticipate that we will be able to plan for and match future liquidity needs with future internal and available external resources.

 

We periodically seek to add growth initiatives by either expanding our network or our markets through organic or internal investments or through strategic acquisitions. We believe we can adjust the timing or the number of our initiatives according to any limitations which may be imposed by our capital structure or sources of financing. At this time, we do not anticipate our capital structure will limit our growth initiatives over the next twelve months.

 

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Cash Flows

The global spread of COVID-19 and the various attempts to contain it have created and are expected to create volatility with our future cash flows. Our future cash flows are expected to be impacted by our customer’s inability to pay for or keep their existing services, or their inability to acquire or cancel our services due to their personal financial hardships created by COVID-19. We may not be able to expand our network, acquire new customers or service existing customers based on our future cash flow position. We have implemented a Company policy whereby we are conserving cash by monitoring discretionary spending. We are experiencing disruptions in our business as we implement these modifications to preserve adequate liquidity and ensure that our business can continue to operate during this uncertain time. 

The following table summarizes our cash flow:

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Three Months Ended March 31,

2017

2016

2021

2020

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

$

10,091,583

$

9,549,148

$

4,818,655

$

6,059,740

Investing activities

 

(3,360,853)

 

(4,352,841)

 

(1,782,415)

 

(1,358,395)

Financing activities

 

(5,179,663)

 

(5,278,721)

(1,828,690)

(2,076,798)

Increase (Decrease) in cash

$

1,551,067

 

$

(82,414)

Increase in cash

 

$

1,207,550

 

$

2,624,547

 

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Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Cash generated by operations in the first ninethree months of 20172021 was $10,091,583,$4,818,655, compared to cash generated by operations of $9,549,148$6,059,740 in the first ninethree months of 2016.2020. The increasedecrease in cash flows from operating activities in 20172021 was primarily due to increased net income, the timing of accounts receivable receiptsthe increase/decrease in assets and prepaid expenses, partially offset by timing of payments for accounts payable, income taxes and other accrued liabilities.

 

Cash generated by operations continues to be our primary source of funding for existing operations, capital expenditures, debt service and dividend payments to stockholders. Cash at September 30, 2017as of March 31, 2021 was $2,167,181$9,825,210, compared to $616,114 at$8,617,660 as of December 31, 2016.2020.

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Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

 

We operate in a capital intensive business. We continue to upgrade our local networks for changes in technology to provide advanced services to our customers.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities was $3,360,853were $1,782,415 during the first three months of 2021 compared to $1,358,395 for the first ninethree months of 2017 compared to $4,352,841 for the first nine months of 2016.2020. Capital expenditures relating to on-going operations were $3,257,853$1,740,415 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021, compared to $4,249,841$1,754,189 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016. We expectMarch 31, 2020. Our total plant additions to be approximately $6.5 million in 2017.for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were recorded net of broadband grants awarded by the State of Minnesota. Our investing expenditures are financed with cash flows from our current operations and advances on our line of credit.credit when needed. We believe that our current operations will provide adequate cash flows to fund our plant additions for the remainder of this year; however, funding from our revolving credit facility is available if the timing of our cash flows from operations does not match our cash flow requirements. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, we had approximately $9.0$10.0 million available under our existing credit facility to fund capital expenditures and other operating needs.

 

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

 

Cash used in financing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 was $5,179,663.$1,828,690. This included long-term debt repayments of $2,025,000, net payments on our revolving credit facility of $1,634,778$1,152,600 and the distribution of $1,519,885$676,090 of dividends to our stockholders. Cash used in financing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2020 was $5,278,721.$2,076,798. This included long-term debt repayments of $2,025,000, net payments on our revolving credit facility$1,164,015, the repurchase of $1,880,909common stock of $238,612 and the distribution of $1,372,812$674,171 of dividends to our stockholders.

 

Working Capital

 

We had a working capital surplus (i.e., current assets minus current liabilities) of $32,288$7,190,905 as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, with current assets of approximately $7.5$18.0 million and current liabilities of approximately $7.4$10.8 million, compared to a working capital deficitsurplus of $2,827,419$3,055,128 as of December 31, 2016.2020. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.001.67 and 0.661.25 as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2016.2020. The working capital surplus as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 was primarily the result of increased operating cash flows which has allowed the Company to fund operations, purchase capital equipment, pay dividends, pay down debtbalances and increase cash reserves.a lower current portion due on our long-term debt. 

 

In addition, if it becomes necessary, we will have sufficient availability under our revolving credit facility to fund any fluctuations in working capital and other cash needs. 

At September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20162020 we were in compliance with all stipulated financial ratios in our loan agreements.

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Dividends and Restrictions

 

We declared a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share for both the second and third quarters of 2017 and $.095$0.13 per share for the first quarter of 2017,2021 and 2020, respectively, which totaled $516,007 for the third quarter, $515,636 for the second quarter and $488,242 for the first quarter. We declared a quarterly dividend of $.09 per share for both the second and third quarters of 2016 and $.0875 per share$676,090 for the first quarter of 2016, which totaled $462,544 per quarter for the second2021 and third quarters and $447,724$674,171 for the first quarter.quarter of 2020.

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We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends during 2017,the remainder of 2021, but only if and to the extent declared by our Board of DirectorsBOD on a quarterly basis and subject to various restrictions on our ability to do so (described below). Dividends on our common stock are not cumulative.  

 

There are security and loan agreements underlying our current CoBank credit facility that contain restrictions on our distributions to stockholders and investment in, or loans, to others. See below and Note 46 – “Secured Credit Facility” for additional information.

 

Our loan agreements include restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to our stockholders. However, we are allowed to pay dividends (a) (i) in an amount up to $2,100,000$2,700,000 in any year if our “Total Leverage Ratio,” that is, the ratio of our “Indebtedness” to “EBITDA” – as defined in the loan documents,documents), is greater than 2.502.00 to 1.00, and (ii) in any amount if our Total Leverage Ratio is less than 2.502.00 to 1.00, and (b) in either case, if we are not in default or potential default under the loan agreements. On MarchDecember 31, 20162020 our Total Leverage Ratio fell below 2.50,2.00, thus eliminating any restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to our stockholders. Our current Total Leverage Ratio at September 30, 2017as of March 31, 2021 is 1.58. 1.90.  

 

Our Board of DirectorsBOD reviews quarterly dividend declarations based on our anticipated earnings, capital requirements and our operating and financial conditions. The cash requirements of our current dividend payment practices are in addition to our other expected cash needs. Should our Board of DirectorsBOD determine a dividend will be declared, we expect we will have sufficient availability from our current cash flows from operations to fund our existing cash needs and the payment of our dividends. In addition, we expect we will have sufficient availability under our revolving credit facility to fund dividend payments in addition to any fluctuations in working capital and other cash needs.

 

Long-Term Debt

 

See Note 46 – “Secured Credit Facility” for information pertaining to our long-term debt.

 

Recent Accounting Developments  

 

See Note 1 – “Basis of Presentation and Consolidation” for a discussion of recent accounting developments.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not required for a smaller reporting company.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e), as of the end of the period subject to this Report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the Evaluation Date), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, that our disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company implemented a new OSS/BSS/Accounting operating system in the first quarter of 2021. The Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and the operation of the controls surrounding this new system and have determined that the new system is operating effectively as of March 31, 2021. The Company and will continue to evaluate and test the design and controls of the new system over the remainder of 2021.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

Other than routinethe litigation incidental to our business, there are no pending material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject. 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Not required for a smaller reporting company.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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Repurchases of Nuvera common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In May 2019, Nuvera announced the adoption of a $4.0 million stock repurchase program running through the end of 2021. Under the stock repurchase program, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, including through open market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions in compliance with the rules of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements.

The following table summarizes stock repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Period

 

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicaly Announced Plans or or Programs (1)

 

Average Price Paid per Share

  

Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

January 1 - March 31, 2021

  

                                           -

 

 N/A

 

$

3,647,263

Total July 1, 2019 - March 31, 2021

  

                                 19,487

     
         

(1) The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased under the Board's authorizations

   

described above, including market purchases and privately negotiated purchases.

     

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

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Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

45


Exhibits.Table of Contents

           

Exhibit

NumberDescription

 

31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

101.INS          XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH         XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.CAL         XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.DEF         XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB         XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE          XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

NEW ULM TELECOM,NUVERA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Dated:  November 14, 2017May 10, 2021

By   

/s/ Bill D. OtisGlenn H. Zerbe

Bill D. Otis,Glenn H. Zerbe, President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  November 14, 2017May 10, 2021

By   

/s/ Curtis O. Kawlewski

Curtis O. Kawlewski, Chief Financial Officer

 

47

32

iso4217:USD xbrli:shares