delay or hinder any construction being undertaken and provided that the Borrower shall have given such reasonable security as may be demanded by the Lender and Title to protect the Premises, and the Lender’s interest therein, if any such Lien is determined adverse to such interests. The Borrower shall promptly after final determination of the validity of any such Lien, pay the amount adjudicated due together with all interest and penalties which may be payable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding these provisions Borrower shall (and if Borrower shall fail so to do, Lender, may but shall not be required to) pay any such Lien notwithstanding such contest if in the reasonable opinion of the Lender, the Premises shall be in jeopardy or in danger of being forfeited or foreclosed or any construction being undertaken is delayed or hindered.
8.10Right of Lender to Inspect Premises. Borrower shall permit Lender and Title and their representatives and agents to enter upon the Premises and to inspect the Project and to cooperate with Lender, Title, and their representatives and agents during such inspections; provided, however, that this provision shall not be deemed to impose upon Lender or Title any duty or obligation whatsoever to undertake such inspections, to correct any defects in the Project or to notify any person with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall be responsible for making inspections as to the Project. Borrower will hold Lender and Title harmless from and Lender and Title shall have no liability or obligation of any kind to Borrower, any third parties or creditors of Borrower in connection with any defective, improper or inadequate workmanship or materials brought in or related to the Premises, or any Mechanics Liens. Such inspections are solely for the purpose of Lender’s underwriting requirements and such review shall not be construed as a review of suitability, merchantability, fitness, compliance with Governmental Requirements or otherwise and may not be relied upon by Borrower or any other person or entity.
8.11Books and Records. Borrower shall set up and maintain accurate and complete books, accounts and records pertaining to the Project including working drawings in a manner reasonably acceptable to Lender. The Lender, Title and Inspecting Engineer shall have the right at all reasonable times to inspect, examine and copy all books and records of Borrower relating to the Project. Any such inspection is solely for the purpose of Lender’s underwriting requirements and such review shall not be construed as a review of suitability, merchantability, fitness, compliance with Governmental Requirements or otherwise and may not be relied upon by Borrower or any other person or entity.
8.12Additional Documents. Borrower shall furnish to Lender all instruments, documents, initial surveys, footing or foundation surveys, certificates, plans and specifications, appraisals, financial statements, title and other insurance reports and agreements and each and every other document and instrument required to be furnished by the Borrower, hereunder, all at Borrower’s expense; shall assign and deliver to Lender such documents, instruments, assignments and other writings, and to do such other acts necessary or desirable to preserve and protect the Collateral at any time securing or intended to secure the Note, as Lender may reasonably require; and shall do and execute all and such further lawful and reasonable acts, conveyances and assurances for the carrying out of the intents and purposes of this Agreement, as Lender shall reasonably require from time to time. Prior to the start of any Equipment installation, Borrower shall provide to Lender at its request copies of all plans and specifications for such Equipment installation.
8.13Compliance with Governmental Requirements. Borrower shall comply with all Governmental Requirements, Regulatory Agreements, and all rules, regulations, ordinances and laws bearing on the Improvements, including the requirements of any insurer issuing coverage on the Project and the requirements of any supervising boards of fire underwriters or similar agencies.
8.14Opinions of Counsel. Borrower shall furnish such opinions of counsel as Lender may require in connection with the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
8.15Material Adverse Effect. Borrower will transmit to Lender, immediately upon receipt thereof, any communication which could have a material adverse affect on Lender’s
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security for the Loan or have a Material Adverse Effect on the Project, the financial condition of Borrower and will promptly respond fully to any inquiry of Lender made with respect thereto.
8.16Intentionally Omitted.
8.17Environmental Covenants. Borrower hereby covenants to Lender that Borrower shall (a) operate the Project in full and complete compliance with all federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and orders with respect to the discharge, generation, removal, transportation, storage and handling of Hazardous Substances, (b) remediate any Hazardous Substances that are released, spilled, leaked, poured, emptied or otherwise released into the Premises, environment, waters or adjacent lands immediately upon discovery of same, in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances and orders of governmental authorities having jurisdiction thereof, (c) pay or cause to be paid all costs associated with such remediation; (d) prevent the migration of Hazardous Substances from or through the Premises into the environment, waters or adjacent lands; (e) keep the Premises free of any Lien imposed pursuant to any state or federal law, rule, regulation or order in connection with the existence of Hazardous Substances on the Premises; (f) not install or permit to be incorporated into any improvements in the Premises or to exist in or on the Premises any asbestos, asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde insulation or any other chemical or substance which has been determined to be a hazard to health and environment; (g) not cause or permit to exist, as a result of an intentional or unintentional act or omission on the part of Borrower or any occupant of the Premises, a releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting, pouring, emptying or dumping of any Hazardous Substances onto the Premises or into the environment or waters or other lands; and (h) give all notifications and prepare all reports required by Environmental Laws or any other law with respect to Hazardous Substances existing on, released from or emitted from the Premises.
8.18Environmental Indemnification. The Borrower indemnifies and holds harmless the Lender, its officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors, licensees, invitees, successors and assigns (“Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities (including without limitation strict liability), suits, obligations, fines, damages, judgments, injuries, administrative orders, consent agreements and orders, penalties, actions, causes of action, charges, costs and expenses, including without limitation attorneys’ fees and consultants’ fees (i) arising out of the inclusion in the Premises of Hazardous Substances or the presence on, the release from, the generation, manufacture, refining, treatment, storage, handling or disposal on, in or from the Premises of any Hazardous Substances, or any underground or above ground storage tanks containing Hazardous Substances and the cost of removal and remediation of the foregoing, or (ii) arising out of the transportation, discharge or removal from the Premises of any Hazardous Substance, or (iii) arising out of the inclusion in any product manufactured on the Premises of a Hazardous Substance; or (iv) arising out of the failure to perform the removal or abatement of or to institute a safe, effective and environmentally approved control plan for any Hazardous Substance or the replacement or removal of any soil, water, surface water, or ground water containing Hazardous Substance in accordance with Environmental Laws; or (v) arising out of the existence of any environmental Lien against the Premises pursuant to any Environmental Laws; or (vi) arising out of any violation or claim of violation of Environmental Laws with respect to the Premises; or (vii) arising out of any administrative proceedings and negotiations of any description with any and all persons, political subdivisions, or governmental agencies in connection with an alleged or actual violation of an
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Environmental Law or presence of Hazardous Substances on the Premises; or (viii) arising out of any breach of any of the representations and covenants contained herein relating to Hazardous Substances and Environmental Laws (collectively the “Indemnified Loss”). Borrower shall bear, pay and discharge such Indemnified Loss as and when the same becomes due and payable. It is understood that Seller is not one of the Indemnified Parties for purposes of this Section 8.18.
8.19Updated Appraisals. Borrower agrees that the Lender shall have the right to obtain, at Borrower’s expense, an updated Appraisal of the Project from an appraiser approved by Lender at any time (a) that an Event of Default shall have occurred hereunder or (b) Lender determines that the security for the Loan has been physically or financially impaired in any material manner. In the event that Lender shall elect to obtain such an Appraisal, Lender may immediately commission an appraiser acceptable to Lender to prepare the Appraisal and Borrower shall fully cooperate with Lender and the appraiser in obtaining the necessary information to prepare such Appraisal. In the event that Borrower fails to cooperate with Lender in obtaining such an Appraisal or in the event that Borrower shall fail to pay for the cost of such Appraisal immediately upon demand, such event shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder and Lender shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it hereunder.
8.20Electrical Supply Agreements. The Borrower will perform its obligations under the Electrical Supply Agreements and cause the Utility Provider to perform its obligations thereunder. Borrower will, at its own cost and expense, perform, comply with and discharge all of the obligations of Borrower under the Electrical Supply Agreements and use all efforts to enforce or secure the performance of each obligation and undertaking of the Utility Provider under the Electrical Supply Agreements. Borrower shall permit no surrender nor assignment of the Borrower’s interest under the Electrical Supply Agreements nor execute any mortgage or create or permit a Lien which may be or become superior to the Mortgage and Loan Documents, nor permit a subordination of the Electrical Supply Agreements to any mortgage or Lien. Borrower will not modify or amend the terms of the Electrical Supply Agreements nor excuse or waive any default of the Utility Provider thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.
8.21Natural Gas Supply Agreements. The Borrower will perform its obligations under the Natural Gas Supply Agreements and cause the Utility Providers to perform their obligations thereunder. Borrower will, at its own cost and expense, perform, comply with and discharge all of the obligations of Borrower under the Natural Gas Supply Agreements and use all efforts to enforce or secure the performance of each obligation and undertaking of the Utility Providers under the Natural Gas Supply Agreements. Borrower shall permit no surrender nor assignment of the Borrower’s interest under the Natural Gas Supply Agreements nor execute any mortgage or create or permit a Lien which may be or become superior to the Mortgage and Loan Documents, nor permit a subordination of the Natural Gas Supply Agreements to any mortgage or Lien. Borrower will not modify or amend the terms of the Natural Gas Supply Agreements nor excuse or waive any default of the Utility Providers thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.
8.22Water Supply Agreements. The Borrower will perform its obligations under the Water Supply Agreements and cause the Utility Provider to perform its obligations thereunder. Borrower will, at its own cost and expense, perform, comply with and discharge all of the obligations of Borrower under the Water Supply Agreements and use all efforts to enforce or secure the performance of each obligation and undertaking of the Utility Provider under the
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Water Supply Agreements. Borrower shall permit no surrender nor assignment of the Borrower’s interest under the Water Supply Agreements nor execute any mortgage or create or permit a Lien which may be or become superior to the Mortgage and Loan Documents, nor permit a subordination of the Water Supply Agreements to any mortgage or Lien. Borrower will not modify or amend the terms of the Water Supply Agreements nor excuse or waive any default of the Utility Provider thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.
8.23LOC. The Borrower and the LOC Lender shall have executed and delivered the LOC Documents and the LOC Lender shall be obligated to disburse the LOC proceeds in accordance with the LOC Documents and the LOC Lender and Lender shall have executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement.
8.24Rail Spur. The Borrower will maintain all of its rights and interest with respect to the Rail Spur. Borrower shall permit no surrender nor assignment of the Borrower’s interest in the Rail Spur and Borrower will not modify or amend the terms of any agreement pertaining to the Rail Spur nor excuse or waive any default thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.
8.25Rail Agreements. The Borrower will perform its obligations under each Rail Agreement and cause the BNSF Railway Company to perform its obligations thereunder. Borrower will, at its own cost and expense, perform, comply with and discharge all of the obligations of Borrower under the Rail Agreements and use all efforts to enforce or secure the performance of each obligation and undertaking of the BNSF Railway Company under the Rail Agreements. Borrower shall permit no surrender nor assignment of the Borrower’s interest under the Rail Agreements and Borrower will not modify or amend the terms of the Rail Agreements nor excuse or waive any default of the BNSF Railway Company thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.
8.26Intellectual Property. Borrower will obtain and maintain in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, service marks, licenses, franchises, trade names, tradestyles, copyrights, technology, formulas, know-how and processes to be used in or necessary for the ownership and operation of the Project and for the current and proposed conduct of its business other than that intellectual property for which the failure to so obtain and maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and in its use thereof it will obtain all required licenses and consents and not injure or infringe upon the property or rights of any Person in any material respect.
8.27Make-Up Payments and Other Permitted Debt Payments. Excepting Tax Distributions and excepting payments due under the Corn Agency Agreement and/or Management Agreement, Borrower shall not pay any amounts toward Make-Up Payments, nor pay any other amounts to the Central Farmers Cooperative, unless and until all of the following have occurred: (i) no Event of Default exists; (ii) Lender shall have received its mandatory prepayment under Section 2.8 for such period (i.e. Lender shall have received its appropriate proportionate share of the Excess Cash Flow); and (iii) such payment is not otherwise prohibited under the terms of the Loan Documents and/or the LOC Documents.
8.28Soil Stabilization Requirements. The Borrower shall timely perform all Soil Stabilization Requirements.
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8.29Compliance with the Escrow Agreement. The Borrower shall comply with the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement.
8.30Maintenance of Letters of Credit in favor of NNG. If required by the NNG Agreement, the Borrower agrees (a) to maintain the NNG Letter of Credit in full force and effect in its current form and to obtain additional letters of credit satisfactory to NNG that may be requested by NNG from time to time to secure obligations of the Borrower arising under the NNG Agreement and (b) within thirty (30) calendar days prior to the expiration date of the NNG Letter of Credit if the NNG Letter of Credit is not renewed: (A) to obtain a letter of credit to replace the NNG Letter of Credit in a form and substance acceptable to NNG or (B) to deposit with NNG cash or other assets acceptable to NNG to secure obligations of the Borrower arising under the NNG Agreement in an amount acceptable to NNG. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be required to provide a replacement letter of credit or cash deposit if FB&T fails to renew the NNG Letter of Credit and the Borrower is not required to provide an additional or replacement letter of credit or cash deposit to NNG to secure the delivery of natural gas to the Plant.
9.
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
9.1Financial Information. During the term of the Loan the Borrower shall provide to Lender the following financial reports (“Required Financial Reports”):
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| (a) | Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the end of each calendar year of the Borrower, the Borrower will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Lender, the Borrower’s audited financial statements with the unqualified opinion of independent certified public accountants selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Lender, which annual financial statements shall include the Borrower’s balance sheet as at the end of such calendar year and the related statements of the Borrower’s income, retained earnings and cash flows for the calendar year then ended, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with (i) copies of all management letters prepared by such accountants; (ii) a report signed by such accountants stating that in making the investigations necessary for said opinion they obtained no knowledge, except as specifically stated, of any Default or Event of Default and all relevant facts in reasonable detail to evidence, and the computations as to, whether or not the Borrower is in compliance with the Financial Covenants; and (iii) a certificate of one of the Borrower’s Authorized Officers stating that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, fairly represent the Borrower’s financial position and the results of its operations, and whether or not such officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default and, if so, stating in reasonable detail the facts with respect thereto. |
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| (b) | Monthly/Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each calendar month and Calendar Quarter, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender an unaudited/internal balance sheet and statements of income and retained Cash Flow of the Borrower as at the end of and |
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| | for such calendar month, for such Calendar Quarter (if such month is also the last month of a Calendar Quarter) and for the year to date period then ended, including in reasonable detail and stating in comparative form the figures for the corresponding date and periods in the previous year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding footnotes), subject to year-end audit adjustments and fairly representing the Borrower’s financial position and the results of its operations; and accompanied by a certificate of one of the Borrower’s Authorized Officers stating (i) that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding footnotes), subject to year-end audit adjustments, (ii) whether or not such officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default not theretofore reported and remedied and, if so, stating in reasonable detail the facts with respect thereto, (iii) all relevant facts in reasonable detail to evidence, and the computations as to, whether or not the Borrower is in compliance with the Financial Covenants, and (iv) if such certificate is for a month that is also the last month of a Calendar Quarter, a statement of the Quarterly Excess Cash Flow for such Calendar Quarter. |
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| (c) | Collateral Reports. On request within 30 days after the end of each calendar month or more frequently if the Lender so requires, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender agings of the Borrower’s accounts receivable and its accounts payable, an inventory certification report, and a calculation of the Borrower’s Accounts and Inventory as at the end of such month or shorter time period. |
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| (d) | Operating Plan and Budget. Not later than each November 30 Borrower will submit to the Lender for approval a proposed Operating Plan and Budget for the next calendar year. |
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| (e) | Litigation. Immediately after the commencement thereof, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice in writing of all litigation and of all proceedings before any governmental or regulatory agency affecting the Borrower that seek a monetary recovery against the Borrower in excess of $250,000. |
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| (f) | Defaults. As promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than five business days) after an officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice of such occurrence, together with a detailed statement by a responsible Officer of the Borrower of the steps being taken by the Borrower to cure the effect thereof. |
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| (g) | Disputes. Promptly upon knowledge thereof, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice of (i) any disputes or claims by the Borrower’s customers exceeding $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate during any calendar year; (ii) credit memos; and/or (iii) any goods returned to or recovered by the Borrower to the extent any such good exceeds $250,000. |
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| (h) | Collateral. Promptly upon knowledge thereof, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice of any material loss of or material damage to any Collateral or of any substantial adverse change in any Collateral or the prospect of payment thereof. |
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| (i) | Intellectual Property. |
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| | (i) | The Borrower will give the Lender 30 days prior written notice of its intent to acquire material Intellectual Property Rights; the Borrower will give the Lender 30 days prior written notice of its intent to dispose of material Intellectual Property Rights; and upon request, shall provide the Lender with copies of all applicable documents and agreements. |
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| | (ii) | Promptly upon knowledge thereof, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice of (A) any infringement of its Intellectual Property Rights by others, (B) claims that the Borrower is infringing another Person’s Intellectual Property Rights and (C) any threatened cancellation, termination or material limitation of its Intellectual Property Rights. |
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| | (iii) | Promptly upon receipt, the Borrower will give the Lender copies of all registrations and filings with respect to its Intellectual Property Rights. |
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| (j) | Reports to Members. Promptly upon their distribution, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements that the Borrower shall have sent to all of its Members. |
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| (k) | Tax Returns. If requested by Lender, Borrower will deliver to Lender copies of the state and federal tax returns and all schedules thereto for the Borrower when filed. |
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| (l) | Violations of Law. Promptly upon knowledge thereof, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender notice of the Borrower’s violation of any law, rule, or regulation, the non-compliance with which could materially and adversely affect the Borrower’s business or its financial condition. |
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| (m) | Other Reports. From time to time, with reasonable promptness, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender any and all receivables schedules, collection reports, deposit records, equipment schedules, copies of invoices to Account Debtors, shipment documents and delivery receipts for goods sold, and such other material, reports, records or information as the Lender may reasonably request. |
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| (n) | Reports Required Under the LOC Documents. When due to the LOC Lender, the Borrower shall provide the Lender all information, financial statements, certificates, reports and documents that the Borrower is required to provide to the LOC Lender under the LOC Documents. |
In the event Borrower fails to furnish any such Required Financial Reports within fifteen (15) days after written request to Borrower, the same shall be an Event of Default and in addition to any other remedies available to Lender, the Lender may cause an audit to be made of the respective books and records at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower. Lender also shall have the right to examine at their place of safekeeping at reasonable times all books, accounts and records relating to the operation of the Premises.
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9.2Permitted Liens; Financing Statements.
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| (a) | The Borrower will not create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon or of any of its assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure any indebtedness;excluding,however, from the operation of the foregoing, the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”): |
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| | (i) | in the case of any of the Borrower’s property that is not Collateral, covenants, restrictions, rights, easements and minor irregularities in title that do not materially interfere with the Borrower’s business or operations as presently conducted; |
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| | (ii) | a first priority security interest and lien in the LOC Collateral (other than the FF&E Reserve and Tax Escrows) in favor of the LOC Lender securing the LOC; |
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| | (iii) | a subordinate security interest and lien in all other assets of the Borrower in favor of the LOC Lender securing the LOC and which shall be subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement; |
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| | (iv) | the security interest and liens created by the Loan Documents; and |
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| | (v) | provided that there is not an Event of Default, Mechanics Liens subject to a bona fide dispute for which the Borrower has caused a bond to be posted satisfactory to Lender. |
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| (b) | The Borrower will not amend any Financing Statements in favor of the Lender. Any authorization by the Lender to any Person to amend financing statements in favor of the Lender shall be in writing. |
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| (c) | Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower will not create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its titled vehicles and any Rolling Stock. |
9.3Indebtedness. The Borrower will not incur, create, assume or permit to exist any indebtedness or liability on account of deposits or advances or any indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of credit issued on the Borrower’s behalf, or obligations under any Operating Lease or Capital Lease (except as permitted by Sections 9.15 and 9.23 hereafter) or any other indebtedness or liability evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, leases or similar obligations, except:
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| (a) | the indebtedness arising hereunder; |
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| (b) | the LOC of the Borrower to the LOC Lender |
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| (c) | the Make-Up Payments to the extent permitted under this Agreement; and |
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| (d) | the Impositions due any Governmental Authority. |
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9.4Guaranties. The Borrower will not assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in connection with any obligations of any other Person, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by the Borrower for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business.
9.5Member Loan and Distributions. Borrower:
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| (a) | Subordinates all loans, advances, and indebtedness owing from Borrower to Members of Borrower from time to time, whether or not evidenced by promissory notes. |
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| (b) | Shall not pay any dividend or distribution, excluding Tax Distributions, whether in cash or otherwise, to any of its Members. |
9.6Books and Records; Inspection and Examination. The Borrower will keep accurate books of record and account for itself pertaining to the Collateral and pertaining to the Borrower’s business and financial condition and such other matters as the Lender may from time to time request in which true and complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP and, upon the Lender’s request, will permit any officer, employee, attorney or accountant for the Lender to audit, review, make extracts from or copy any and all company and financial books and records of the Borrower at all times during ordinary business hours, to send and discuss with Account Debtors and other obligors requests for verification of amounts owed to the Borrower, and to discuss the Borrower’s affairs with any of its directors, officers, employees or agents. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes all accountants and third parties to disclose and deliver to Lender, at the Borrower’s expense, all financial information, books and records, work papers, management reports and other information in their possession regarding the Borrower provided however that the authorization granted herein shall not be deemed to authorize any attorney to disclose information subject to the attorney client privilege. The Borrower will permit the Lender, or its employees, accountants, attorneys, or agents, to examine and inspect any Collateral or any other property of the Borrower at any time during ordinary business hours.
9.7Account Verification. The Lender may at any time and from time to time send or require the Borrower to send requests for verification of accounts and after an Event of Default notices of assignment to Account Debtors and other obligors. The Lender may also at any time and from time to time telephone Account Debtors and other obligors to verify accounts.
9.8Payment of Impositions and Other Claims. The Borrower will pay or discharge, when due, (a) all Impositions, taxes and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, upon any properties belonging to it (including the Collateral) or upon or against the creation, perfection or continuance of the security interests in favor of the Lender, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, (b) all federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld by it, and (c) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon any properties of the Borrower; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which proper reserves have been made.
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9.9Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will keep and maintain the Plant and other Collateral and all of its other properties necessary or useful in its business in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear excepted) and will from time to time replace or repair any worn, defective or broken parts. The Borrower will defend the Plant and other Collateral against all Liens, claims, or demands of all Persons (other than the Lender and to the extent permitted under this Agreement, the LOC Lender) claiming the Collateral or any interest therein. The Borrower will keep all the same free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. The Borrower will take all commercially reasonable steps necessary to prosecute any Person Infringing its Intellectual Property Rights and to defend itself against any Person accusing it of Infringing any Person’s Intellectual Property Rights.
9.10Preservation of Existence. The Borrower will preserve and maintain its existence and all of its rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business and shall conduct its business in an orderly, efficient and regular manner.
9.11Delivery of Instruments, etc. Upon request by the Lender, the Borrower will promptly deliver to the Lender in pledge all Instruments, Documents and Chattel Paper constituting Collateral, duly endorsed or assigned by the Borrower.
9.12Sale or Transfer of Assets; Suspension of Business Operations. The Borrower will not sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of (i) the Project, (ii) all or a substantial part of its assets, or (iii) any Collateral or any interest therein (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) to any other Person other than the sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business and will not liquidate, dissolve or suspend business operations (other than as permitted in Section 10.1(c)), provided, however, that Borrower may in the ordinary course of business sell or dispose of Equipment constituting Collateral that is obsolete or otherwise being replaced in the ordinary course of business up to $500,000 in the aggregate per year. The Borrower will not transfer any part of its ownership interest in any Intellectual Property Rights and will not permit any agreement under which it has licensed Intellectual Property to lapse, except that the Borrower may transfer such rights or permit such agreements to lapse if it shall have reasonably determined that the applicable Intellectual Property Rights are no longer useful in its business. If the Borrower transfers any Intellectual Property Rights for value, the Borrower will pay over the proceeds to the Lender for application to the Obligations. The Borrower will not license any other Person to use any of the Borrower’s Intellectual Property Rights, except that the Borrower may grant licenses in the ordinary course of its business in connection with sales of Inventory or provision of services to its customers.
9.13Consolidation and Merger; Asset Acquisitions. The Borrower will not consolidate with or merge into any Person, or permit any other Person to merge into it, or acquire (in a transaction analogous in purpose or effect to a consolidation or merger) all or substantially all the assets of any other Person.
9.14Sale and Leaseback. The Borrower will not enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any other Person whereby the Borrower shall sell or transfer any real or personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee such property or any part thereof or any other property that the Borrower intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.
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9.15Capital Expenditures, etc. With respect to Capital Expenditures and the entry into Capital Leases, the Borrower covenants and agrees as follows:
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| (a) | Borrower will not enter into any Capital Leases during any Loan Year that in the aggregate exceed $250,000.00 without the prior written consent of Lender; |
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| (b) | Borrower will not make any Capital Expenditure except those which in the good faith judgment of the Borrower are required to maintain, preserve or keep its plant, properties, and Equipment in good repair, working order, and condition; and |
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| (c) | Borrower shall not expend more than the FF&E Reserve plus the amount necessary to complete the Soil Stabilization Requirements. |
9.16Restrictions on Nature of Business. The Borrower will not engage in any line of business materially different from that presently engaged in by the Borrower and will not purchase, lease or otherwise acquire assets not related to its business.
9.17Accounting. The Borrower will not adopt any material change in accounting principles other than as required by GAAP. The Borrower will not adopt, permit or consent to any change in its fiscal year.
9.18Discounts, etc. The Borrower will not at any time discount, modify, amend, subordinate, cancel or terminate the obligation of any Account Debtor or other obligor of the Borrower except in the ordinary course of business.
9.19Place of Business; Name. The Borrower will not transfer its chief executive office or principal place of business, or move, relocate, close or sell any business location. The Borrower will not permit any tangible Collateral or any records pertaining to the Collateral to be located in any state or area in which, in the event of such location, a financing statement covering such Collateral would be required to be, but has not in fact been, filed in order to perfect the Security Interest. The Borrower will not change its name or jurisdiction of organization.
9.20No Purchase of Perishable Agricultural Commodities. The Borrower will not purchase perishable agricultural products that are subject to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
9.21Operating Margin Protection. Borrower will employ long-term hedging and price-management strategies customary and usual in the ethanol production industry for (i) the procurement of feedstocks, energy and fuel for the Project and (ii) the sale of the Products produced by the Project. Such hedging and price management strategies will be employed to minimize any reductions in (i) the Project’s operating margin and (ii) the Project’s ability to repay the Loan in accordance with this Agreement.
9.22Transactions with Affiliates and Third Parties. The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any of its Affiliates or with any director, officer or employee of the Borrower other than transactions in the ordinary course of,
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and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of, the business of the Borrower and upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully disclosed to the Lender and are no less favorable to the Borrower than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Borrower. Lender acknowledges that the Corn Agency Agreement and Management Agreement each comply with this Section 9.22.
9.23Operating Leases. Borrower shall not enter into any Operating Leases with annual rental in excess of $100,000.00 in the aggregate without the prior written consent of the Lender. The Rail Car Leases shall be approved by Lender.
10.
OPERATING COVENANTS
10.1Operating Covenants.
| | | |
| (a) | The Premises shall be used as a production Project for the production of fuel grade, denatured, anhydrous ethanol alcohol, DDGS and CO2 byproducts and for no other use without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent may be withheld in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion. |
| | | |
| (b) | Borrower shall obtain, pay for and continuously keep in full force and effect all Regulatory Approvals, Operating Agreements and other Licenses, Permits and authorizations as are required to maintain and operate the Plant and shall not permit any default, breach or violation to exist thereunder by any party thereto and no event has occurred (other than payments due but not yet delinquent) that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default, breach or violation by any party thereunder. |
| | | |
| (c) | Borrower shall continuously operate the Project for the production of fuel grade, denatured, anhydrous Ethanol and shall continuously meet the Performance Guarantee Criteria as reviewed and certified by the Inspecting Engineer, except (i) for routine maintenance partial shut-downs provided that such partial shut-downs do not, in the aggregate, exceed 288 hours per year, and (ii) if market conditions are reasonably determined by Borrower and Lender to result in negative cash flows and margins from operations, in which case Lender may, in its sole discretion, consent to having Borrower reduce production output temporarily until market conditions improve subject however to such conditions as the Lender may require. |
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| (d) | Borrower further covenants and agrees to: |
| | | |
| | (i) | cause the Project to be operated pursuant to the Operating Agreements and Major Project Documents. |
| | | |
| | (ii) | promptly perform and/or observe all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed and observed by it under the Major Project Documents and do all things necessary to preserve and to keep unimpaired its material rights thereunder; |
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| | | |
| | (iii) | promptly notify Lender of any default under the Major Project Documents of which it is aware; |
| | | |
| | (iv) | promptly deliver to Lender a copy of each financial statement, business plan, Capital Expenditures plan, notice, report and estimate, received by it under the Major Project Documents, as applicable; and |
| | | |
| | (v) | promptly enforce the performance and observance of all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed and/or observed by the parties under the Major Project Documents. |
| | | |
| (e) | Borrower consents and agrees that it shall not, without Lender’s prior written consent which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed: |
| | | |
| | (i) | surrender, terminate or cancel the Major Project Documents other than pursuant to the express terms thereof; |
| | | |
| | (ii) | reduce or consent to the reduction of the term of the Major Project Documents other than pursuant to the express terms thereof; |
| | | |
| | (iii) | increase or consent to the increase of the amount of any charges under the Major Project Documents other than pursuant to the express terms thereof; or |
| | | |
| | (iv) | otherwise modify, change, supplement, alter or amend, or waive or release any of its rights and remedies under, the Major Project Documents in any material respect. |
| | | |
| (f) | Borrower shall maintain the Major Project Documents for the operation of the Project in full force and effect and timely perform all of Borrower’s obligations thereunder and enforce performance of all obligations of the manager thereunder, and not permit the termination or amendment of such Major Project Documents other than pursuant to the express terms thereof unless the prior written consent of Lender is first obtained which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Upon an Event of Default, Borrower shall at Lender’s request made at any time while such Event of Default continues, terminate the Major Project Documents and replace the other party with a party selected by Lender. |
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| (g) | Borrower shall, operate and maintain the Project in accordance with all laws, ordinances and regulations of all applicable governmental agencies or entities and in accordance with all requirements of all applicable licenses and permits with respect to the Project, including, but not limited to the conditions and requirements relating to the Project’s status as a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator of Hazardous Waste under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) and the requirements and conditions of the Air Quality Operating Permit issued by SDENR and any supplements or replacements thereof. |
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10.2Compliance With Americans With Disabilities Act. Borrower covenants and agrees that it will comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the same may be amended from time to time, during the entire term of the Loan and that it will comply with any requirements established by any federal, state or local governmental authorities having jurisdiction over such matters. All future maintenance, renovation, repair and construction conducted on the Project shall all be completed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act shall constitute an Event of Default and shall entitle the Lender to exercise all remedies available to it hereunder.
10.3Compliance With OSHA. Borrower covenants and agrees that it will comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), as the same may be amended from time to time, during the entire term of the Loan and that it will comply with any requirements established by any federal, state or local governmental authorities having jurisdiction over such matters. All operations, maintenance, renovation, repair and construction conducted on the Project shall all be completed in accordance with OSHA. Failure to comply with the provisions of OSHA shall constitute an Event of Default and shall entitle the Lender to exercise all remedies available to it hereunder.
10.4Intellectual Property, etc. The Borrower shall maintain its right to use all material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and other rights with respect to the foregoing necessary for the present and planned future conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others, except for such patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and rights the loss of which, and such conflicts, that in any such case individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Borrower and/or the operations of the Project.
11.
ERISA
| | |
11.1ERISA Representations. |
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| (a) | Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate as of the date hereof (i) maintains, contributes to or has any liability to contribute to any Pension Plan or has within the preceding five years made or accrued such contributions or had such liability, (ii) contributes to or has any liability to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or has within the preceding five years made or accrued such contributions or had such liability or (iii) provides or hasany material liability to provide post-retirement medical or insurance benefits with respect to employees or former employees (other than benefits required under Section 601 of ERISA, Section 4980B of the IRC or applicable state law). |
| | |
| (b) | Except as disclosed on Schedule 11.1, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate (i) has knowledge that the Borrower or the ERISA Affiliate is not in material compliance with the requirements of ERISA, the IRC, or state law with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, (ii) has knowledge that a Reportable Event occurred or continues to exist in connection with any Pension Plan, or (iii) sponsors an Employee Benefit Plan that it intends to maintain as qualified under |
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| | |
| | the IRC that is not so qualified, and no fact or circumstance exists which may have a material adverse effect on such Employee Benefit Plan’s tax qualified status. |
| | |
| (c) | Except as, in the aggregate, does not have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has liability for any (i) accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC) under any Pension Plan, whether or not waived, (ii) withdrawal, partial withdrawal, reorganization or other event under any Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA, or (iii) event or circumstance which could result in financial obligation to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or any participant in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits under the Employee Benefit Plan). |
| | |
11.2ERISA Covenants. |
| | |
| (a) | Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate will, without giving prior written notice to the Lender, (i) adopt, create, assume or become a party to any Pension Plan, (ii) incur any obligation to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan, (iii) incur any obligation to provide post-retirement medical or insurance benefits with respect to employees or former employees (other than benefits required by law) or (iv) amend any Pension Plan in a manner that would materially increase its funding obligations. |
| | |
| (b) | The Borrower represents, warrants and covenants that it is acting on its own behalf and that as of the date hereof it is not an Employee Benefit Plan, and the assets of the Borrower do not constitute “plan assets” of one or more such Employee Benefit Plans within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation Section 2510.3-101. The Borrower also represents, warrants and covenants that it will not be reconstituted as an Employee Benefit Plan or as an entity whose assets constitute “plan assets.” |
| | |
| (c) | (i) Promptly upon discovery, and in any event within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know that any Reportable Event with respect to any Pension Plan has occurred, the Borrower will provide written notice to the Lender of the Reportable Event in detail and the actions which the Borrower proposes to take to correct the deficiency, together with a copy of any related notice sent to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (ii) promptly upon discovery, and in any event within 10 days after the Borrower fails to make a required quarterly Pension Plan contribution under Section 412(m) of the IRC, the Borrower will provide written notice to the Lender of the failure in detail and the actions that the Borrower will take to cure the failure, together with a copy of any related notice sent to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and (iii) promptly upon discovery, and in any event within 10 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know that it may be liable or may be reasonably expected to have liability for any withdrawal, partial withdrawal, reorganization or other event |
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| | |
| | under any Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA, the Borrower will provide written notice to the Lender of the details of the event and the actions that the Borrower proposes to take in response. |
12.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
It shall be an “Event of Default” under this Agreement on the happening of any of the following:
12.1Default Under Loan Documents. A default under any of the other Loan Documents, all of which covenants, conditions and agreements contained therein are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by express reference, shall be and constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement; or
12.2Default under Warrant. Any violation of any terms of the Warrant occurs; or
12.3Failure to Make Any Payment. Failure to make any payment on the Note whether principal, interest, premium or late charge, or the failure to pay any other Obligation when and as the same becomes due (whether at the stated maturity or at a date fixed for any installment payment or any accelerated payment date or otherwise); or
12.4Termination of Utility Agreements. Any Utility Agreement is terminated or the Utility Provider repudiates its obligations under its Utility Agreement or ceases to cause the obligations of the Utility Provider to be performed in accordance with and at the times required under the Utility Agreement and the Borrower does not provide a replacement Utility Provider under a replacement Utility Agreement acceptable to Lender within thirty (30) days thereafter; or
12.5Breach of Covenants. Borrower breaches or fails to perform, observe or meet any covenant or condition of this Agreement and such breach or failure is not cured within a period of fifteen (15) days after notice thereof to Borrower; or
12.6Default under LOC Loan Documents. An event of default shall occur under the LOC Loan Documents which is not cured to the satisfaction of the LOC Lender with the applicable cure period and/or the LOC Loans are accelerated, terminated, or cancelled.
12.7Misrepresentation. Any oral or written warranty, representation, certificate or statement of the Borrower in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement with either Lender shall be false when made or at any time thereafter, or if any financial data or any other information now or hereafter furnished to the Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower shall prove to be false, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect; or
12.8Filing of Liens Against the Premises. Any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) shall be asserted or filed against the Premises and such Lien shall not be released or bonded over and stayed to Lender’s satisfaction within fifteen (15) days after the assertion or filing thereof; or
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12.9Litigation Against Borrower. Any suit shall be filed against Borrower which if adversely determined, would substantially impair the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents; or
12.10Judgment, Writ, Attachment or Levy Upon the Premises. A judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process, levy or seizure be made under any process against the Premises and such action shall not be released or bonded over to Lender’s satisfaction within thirty (30) days after the assertion or filing thereof; or
12.11Other Material Obligations. Any default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance of, any material obligation of, or condition agreed to by, the Borrower with respect to any material purchase or lease of goods or services where such default, singly or in the aggregate with all other such defaults, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
12.12Ceasing Operations. The Borrower shall cease continuously operating the Project for the production of fuel grade, denatured, anhydrous Ethanol or shall fail to meet the Performance Guarantee Criteria, except as otherwise permitted under Section 10.1(c); or
12.13Changes In Control. A Change of Control shall occur.
12.14Bankruptcy of Borrower. The Borrower shall fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or shall file a petition under any chapter of the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any similar law, state or federal, now or hereafter existing, or shall become “insolvent” as that term is generally defined under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, or shall in any involuntary bankruptcy case commenced against it file an answer admitting insolvency or inability to pay its debts as they become due, or shall fail to obtain a dismissal of such case within one hundred twenty (120) days after its commencement or convert the case from one chapter of the Federal Bankruptcy Code to another chapter, or be the subject of an order for relief in such bankruptcy case, or be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or shall have a custodian, trustee or receiver appointed for, or have any court take jurisdiction of its property, or any part thereof, in any voluntary proceeding for the purpose of reorganization, arrangement, dissolution or liquidation and such custodian, trustee or receiver shall not be discharged, or such jurisdiction shall not be relinquished, vacated or stayed within one hundred twenty (120) days of the appointment; or
12.15Attachment. Any part of the Lender’s commitment under the Loan shall at any time be subject or liable to attachment, seizure, garnishment or levy at the suit of any creditor of the Borrower; or
12.16Destruction. Any part of the Project is materially damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty and within ten (10) days thereafter the loss shall prove not to be adequately covered by (i) insurance available for collection and (ii) additional funds of Owner deposited with Lender; or
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12.17Eminent Domain. The Premises shall be the subject of condemnation by a Governmental Authority in an eminent domain proceeding or a temporary taking adverse to Borrower that materially adversely impacts operation of the Project; or
12.18First Lien Insurance. Any refusal by Title to insure any Advance as being secured by the Mortgage as a valid first lien and security interest on the Project and continuance of such refusal for a period of thirty (30) days after notice thereof by the Lender to the Borrower; or
12.19Change in Borrower Status. If the Borrower shall be dissolved, liquidated or wound up or shall fail to maintain its existence as a going concern in good condition be adjudged incompetent or a conservator, custodian or guardian be appointed to handle his/her affairs or shall die; or
12.20Non-Renewal of NNG Letter of Credit. FB&T or any issuer of a replacement NNG Letter of Credit shall fail to renew such NNG Letter of Credit as required under the NNG Agreement, unless the Borrower has timely provided a replacement letter of credit or a cash deposit pursuant to the terms of Section 8.30 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be required to provide a replacement letter of credit or cash deposit if FB&T fails to renew the NNG Letter of Credit and the Borrower is not required to provide an additional or replacement letter of credit or cash deposit to NNG to secure the delivery of natural gas to the Plant.
12.21Default under Operating Agreements. If the Borrower shall fail to meet or perform any condition of any Operating Agreement to which it is a party prior to the expiration of any applicable grace period or such Operating Agreement shall be terminated; or
12.22Default Under Regulatory Approvals. If the Borrower shall fail to meet or perform any condition of any Regulatory Approvals to which it is a party prior to the expiration of any applicable grace period or any of such Regulatory Approvals shall be terminated; or
12.23LOC. If an event of default shall occur under the LOC Documents which is not cured to the satisfaction of the LOC Lender and/or the LOC is accelerated, terminated or cancelled or the obligation of the LOC Lender to advance the LOC proceeds is terminated or rescinded; or
12.24Default under Other Debt. Any default by the Borrower in the payment of any Debt for any other obligation (whether or not owed to Lender) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto or in the performance of any other term, condition or covenant contained in any agreement (including any capital or operating lease or any agreement in connection with the deferred purchase price of property) under which any such obligation is created, the effect of which default is to cause or permit the holder of such obligation (or the other party to such other agreement) to cause such obligation to become due prior to its stated maturity or terminate such other agreement;
12.25Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any development, condition or event which has a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower; or
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12.26Major Project Documents. Any party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any Major Project Document (other than any term, covenant or agreement that is the basis of another Event of Default) to be performed or observed by it and such failure is not remedied within any applicable grace period specifically provided for in such Major Project Document and could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that, if such party has diligently attempted to cure such default throughout the initial grace period provided for in the Major Project Document but such default has not been cured at the expiration of such initial grace period, and if (1) the applicable Major Project Document provides for one or more subsequent grace periods and (2) such default is likely to be cured during the next subsequent grace period provided for in the Major Project Document, then Borrower may request in writing that the Lender grant one additional grace period of the same length as the party has received pursuant to the Major Project Document within which the party may cure such default (such request to contain all relevant facts and circumstances necessary for the Lender to make an informed decision as to whether to grant an additional grace period) and the Lender, in its sole discretion, may grant one additional grace period of up to thirty (30) days within which the other party must cure the default under the Major Project Document; provided, further, that Borrower may also cure this Event of Default by entering into, within thirty (30) days after the initial occurrence of such Event of Default, a replacement agreement with a new counterparty reasonably acceptable to the Lender, which replacement agreement will be on terms and conditions at least as favorable to Borrower as the original Major Project Document being replaced.
12.27Employee Benefits. Any Reportable Event, which the Lender in good faith believes to constitute sufficient grounds for termination of any Pension Plan or for the appointment of a trustee to administer any Pension Plan, has occurred and is continuing 30 days after the Borrower gives the Lender written notice of the Reportable Event; or a trustee is appointed by an appropriate court to administer any Pension Plan; or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation institutes proceedings to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Pension Plan; or the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate files for a distress termination of any Pension Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make any quarterly Pension Plan contribution required under Section 412(m) of the IRC, which the Lender in good faith believes may, either by itself or in combination with other failures, result in the imposition of a Lien on the Borrower’s assets in favor of the Pension Plan; or any withdrawal, partial withdrawal, reorganization or other event occurs with respect to a Multiemployer Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability by the Borrower to the Multiemployer Plan under Title IV of ERISA.
12.28Default under the Asset Purchase Agreement. A default by the Borrower under the Asset Purchase Agreement, all of which covenants, conditions and agreements contained therein are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by express reference, shall be and constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement or the failure to perform any of the obligations thereunder.
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13.
REMEDIES OF LENDER
13.1Exercise of Rights. Upon the Event of Default the Lender may at its option exercise one or more of the following:
| | | |
| (a) | Acceleration. Accelerate the repayment of the Loan. |
| | | |
| (b) | Foreclosure. Exercise any of the various remedies provided in any of the Loan Documents, including the foreclosure of the Mortgage; |
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| (c) | Cumulative Rights. Cumulatively exercise all other rights, options and privileges provided by law; |
| | | |
| (d) | Assignment of Contracts. Enforce the assignment of any contracts related to operation of the Project and exercise the Borrower’s rights thereunder; |
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| (e) | Receiver. Seek the appointment of a receiver to take possession of the Project and to operate the Project. |
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| (f) | Cure Contract Defaults. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under any agreement relating to the Project; |
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| (g) | Protect Interest. Do all things necessary to protect its interest in the Project and the security afforded the Loan; |
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| (h) | Provide Security. Employ security watchmen to protect the Premises; |
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| (i) | Prevent Waste. Take such action as necessary to prevent waste; |
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| (j) | Regulatory Approvals. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under any Regulatory Approvals; |
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| (k) | Operating Agreements. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under any Operating Agreement; |
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| (l) | Enter and Operate. Require Borrower to vacate the Premises and Lender may, at its election, (whether prior to any sale pursuant to a foreclosure of the Mortgage or during any period of redemption) either through itself, its agents or a receiver appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction: |
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| | (i) | Do all things necessary to protect its interest in the Project and the security afforded the Loan; |
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| | (ii) | to enter the Site, the Project and other property owned or leased by Borrower and operate the Project at the risk, cost and expense of Borrower; and |
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| | | |
| | (iii) | take over and use all or any part of the labor, materials, supplies and equipment contracted for by or on behalf of Borrower. |
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| (m) | LOC. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under the LOC; |
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| (n) | Utility Agreements. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under the Utility Agreements; |
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| (o) | Major Project Documents. Comply with, effect a cure under and/or prevent a failure or default under any Major Project Document; |
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| (p) | Cumulative Rights. Singularly or cumulatively exercise all other rights, options and privileges provided by law; |
and in furtherance thereof the Borrower irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally agrees that Lender may disburse such amounts as Lender may deem necessary or appropriate to protect the Project and the lien of the Loan Documents and to do all of the things in connection with the Project which Borrower may do in its own behalf and hereby appoints the Lender as its attorney in fact to perform the foregoing. It is understood and agreed that this power of attorney shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest which cannot be revoked by death or otherwise. Said attorney-in-fact shall also have power to prosecute and defend all actions and proceedings in connection with the operation of the Project and to take such action and require such performance as it deems necessary. In accordance therewith, Borrower hereby assigns and quitclaims unto Lender all sums to be advanced hereunder including any retainage. Any funds so disbursed or fees or charges so incurred shall be included in any amount necessary for Borrower to pay to redeem the Premises after any foreclosure sale over and above and notwithstanding the bid price at any foreclosure sale. BORROWER EXPRESSLY COVENANTS AND AGREES THAT IT WILL COOPERATE WITH THE LENDER IN THE LENDER’S EXERCISE OF ITS REMEDIES HEREUNDER, WILL NOT OBJECT OR CONTEST THE EXERCISE OF LENDER’S REMEDIES HEREUNDER AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES ANY RIGHT NOW OR HEREAFTER EXISTING AT LAW, IN EQUITY OR BY STATUTE TO OBJECT TO THE EXERCISE BY LENDER OF ALL OR ANY OF THE AFORESAID REMEDIES. BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL AND THE REMEDIES HEREIN AND THE CONTENT AND EFFECT OF THIS WAIVER HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED WITH AND EXPLAINED BY COUNSEL AND EXECUTES AND DELIVERS THIS WAIVER ONLY UPON A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SAME AND THE RIGHTS WAIVED HEREUNDER. BORROWER FURTHER UNDERSTANDS THAT LENDER HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT IN RELIANCE UPON THIS WAIVER AND THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE SUCH REMEDIES AND BUT FOR SUCH WAIVER WOULD NOT MAKE THE LOAN.
In no event will the actions of the Lender while exercising its rights pursuant to this Section constitute the Lender a mortgagee-in-possession, and Borrower hereby indemnifies the Lender from and against any and all costs and liabilities resulting from any such characterization or from their actions or omissions to act pursuant to this Section; provided, that Borrower has no obligation to indemnify the Lender for costs and liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or
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willful misconduct of the Lender. In connection with any operation of the Project undertaken by the Lender pursuant to this Section, the Lender may:
| | |
| (i) | engage Persons for the purpose of operating the Project; |
| | |
| (ii) | pay, settle or compromise, or cause to be paid, settled or compromised, all claims or bills that may become Liens against Borrower’s interest in the Site or the Project, or that have been or may be incurred in any manner in connection with the operation of the Project or for the discharge of Liens or defects in the title of Borrower’s interest in the Site or the Project; and |
| | |
| (iii) | take such other action or refrain from acting under this Agreement as the Lender may in its sole and absolute discretion from time to time determine. |
Borrower will be liable to the Lender for all sums paid or incurred for the operation of the Project and all payments made or liabilities incurred by the Lender under this Agreement of any kind whatsoever (other than sums paid or incurred or liabilities incurred due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lender) will be paid by Borrower to the Lender upon demand with interest to the date of payment to the Lender at the Default Rate. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions and exercising the rights, powers and privileges granted by this Section, Borrower irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Lender, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in its name and on its behalf, and at its expense, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to execute, acknowledge and deliver any document and instrument and to do and perform any act such as those referred to in this Section, without notice to or the consent of Borrower. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is not revocable.
13.2Rights Non-Cumulative. No right or remedy by this Agreement or by any Loan Document or instrument delivered by the Borrower pursuant hereto, conferred upon or reserved to the Lender shall be or is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy and each and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right or remedy or now or hereafter arising at a law or in equity or by statute. Except as Lender may hereafter otherwise agree in writing, no waiver by Lender or any breach by or default of Borrower of any of its obligations, agreements, or covenants under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other obligation, agreement or covenant, nor shall any forbearance by Lender to seek a remedy for such breach be deemed a waiver of its rights and remedies with respect to such a breach, nor shall Lender be deemed to have waived any of its rights and remedies unless it be in writing and executed with the same formality as this Agreement.
14.
CONDITIONS OF LOAN
14.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Closing Date shall not occur until all of the following conditions are satisfied:
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| | | |
| (a) | Delivery of Loan Documents. The Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender all of the following Loan Documents, all of which must be satisfactory to the Lender and the Lender’s counsel in form, substance and execution: |
| | | |
| | (i) | Loan and Security Agreement. This Agreement duly executed by the Borrower. |
| | | |
| | (ii) | Note. The Note duly executed by the Borrower, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (iii) | Mortgage. The Mortgage duly executed by the Borrower, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (iv) | Assignment of Rents and Leases. The Assignment of Rents and Leases duly executed by the Borrower, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (v) | Financing Statement(s). The Financing Statements authorized by Borrower, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (vi) | Assignment of Contract Rights, Intangibles and Proprietary Rights. The Assignment of Contract Rights, Intangibles and Proprietary Rights in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (vii) | Assignment of Operating, Service Contracts, Permits and Regulatory Approvals. The Assignment of Operating, Service Contracts, Permits and Regulatory Approvals in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (viii) | Collateral Assignment of License Agreement. The Collateral Assignment of License Agreement in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (ix) | Assignments of Incentive Payments. The Assignments of Incentive Payments in the forms prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (x) | Environmental Indemnity. The Environmental Indemnity in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (xi) | Control Agreement. Control Agreements executed by the Lender, the Borrower and the Collection Bank (or such other banks as Lender in its sole discretion may approve). |
| | | |
| | (xii) | Search Results; Lien Terminations. Copies of UCC search reports dated such a date as is reasonably acceptable to the Lender, listing all effective financing statements which name the Borrower, under its present names and any previous names, as debtors, together with (i) copies of such financing statements, (ii) payoff letters evidencing repayment in full of all existing Debt to be repaid with the Advances, the termination of all |
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| | | |
| | | agreements relating thereto and the release of all Liens granted in connection therewith, with UCC or other appropriate termination statements and documents effective to evidence the foregoing (other than Permitted Liens), and (iii) such other UCC termination statements as the Lender may reasonably request. |
| | | |
| | (xiii) | Organizational and Authorization Document. Copies of (i) the Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement of the Borrower; (ii) resolutions of the members of the Borrower approving and authorizing such Person’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is party and the transactions contemplated thereby; (iii) signature and incumbency certificates of the members of the Borrower, executing any of the Loan Documents, each of which the Borrower hereby certifies to be true and complete, and in full force and effect without modification, it being understood that the Lender may conclusively rely on each such document and certificate until formally advised by the Borrower of any changes therein; and (iv) good standing certificates in the state of formation of the Borrower and in each other state requested by the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (xiv) | Insurance. Evidence satisfactory to the Lender of the existence of insurance required to be maintained pursuant toArticle 5, together with evidence that the Lender has been named as a lender’s loss payee on all related insurance policies. |
| | | |
| | (xv) | Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor and Collateral Priority Agreement, duly executed by Lender and LOC Lender, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Lender. |
| | | |
| | (xvi) | Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agreement dated as of the date of this Agreement executed by Borrower, Lender, Seller, Central Farmers Cooperative, and Escrow Agent. |
| | | |
| | (xvii) | Additional Documents. Such other certificates, financial statements, schedules, resolutions, opinions of counsel, notes and other documents which are provided for hereunder or which the Lender shall require. |
| | | |
| | (xviii) | Flood Certification. Evidence satisfactory to Lender that the Plant is not located in the flood plain. |
| | | |
| | (xix) | Opinion. Prior to the Closing Date, Borrower shall furnish such opinions of counsel as Lender may require in connection with the matters contemplated by this Agreement. |
| | | |
| | (xx) | LOC Loan Documents. Copies of the executed LOC Documents. |
| | | |
| | (xxi) | Third Party Consents. A Service Provider’s Consent, Consent and Acknowledgment of Licensor, Consent and Subordination of Manager, or Consent of Rail Car Lessor, as appropriate, from Fagen under the Design |
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| | | |
| | | Build Agreement and from each third party to the Operating Agreements consenting to the collateral assignment of such documents to Lender in the form prescribed by Lender, excepting those listed on the attachedExhibit F, which shall be delivered at a later date pursuant to Section 14.2; provided, however, there will be no consent required from Fremar, LLC. |
| | | |
| | (xxii) | Amendments. Lender shall have approved any amendments to the Electrical Supply Agreements, Water Supply Agreements, and Natural Gas Supply Agreements. |
| | | |
| | (xxiii) | Sale Documents. All documents sufficient to satisfy the Lender that Borrower has acquired substantially all of the assets of Seller free and clear of liens and interests including but not limited to the Plant. |
| | |
| (b) | Delivery of Escrow Release Direction. The Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender and Escrow Agent on or before the Closing Date a written direction under the Escrow Agreement to the Escrow Agent to (i) deliver the executed originals of this Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents to the Lender and (ii) direct the Escrow Agent to deliver the Asset Purchase Agreement and related documents to Seller and Borrower as appropriate. |
| | |
| (c) | Asset Purchase Agreement. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement shall have occurred. |
| | |
| (d) | Delivery of Loan Documents The Escrow Agent shall deliver to the Lender on or before the Closing Date the executed originals of this Agreement, the Revolving Note and the other Loan Documents. |
| | |
| (e) | Delivery of Equity Investment. On or before the Escrow Closing Date, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Escrow Agent the Borrower Equity. |
| | |
| (f) | Event of Default. No Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. |
| | |
| (g) | Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower has occurred. |
| | |
| (h) | Litigation. No litigation or governmental proceeding shall have been instituted against the Borrower having a Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower. |
| | |
| (i) | Representations and Warranties. No representation or warranty of the Borrower contained herein or in any Loan Document shall be untrue or incorrect as of the Closing Date. |
| | |
| (j) | Governmental Requirements and Approvals. Excepting those approvals listed on Schedule 7.9 that are in the process of being obtained as of the Closing Date, which approvals Borrower will ensure are obtained within sixty (60) days from the Closing Date, and excepting the Soil Stabilization Requirements, which requirements Borrower will comply with within a reasonable period of time as |
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| | |
| | agreed upon by the SDENR, all regulatory approvals required for the operation of the Plant as of the Closing Date shall have been issued without conditions unacceptable to the Lender and copies thereof provided to Lender. |
| | |
| (k) | Title Insurance. The Borrower shall have delivered to Lender a title policy in form and substance acceptable to Lender, with all such endorsements as Lender may deem appropriate or desirable insuring that the Mortgage is a perfected lien in the Real Property senior to all other liens and interests. |
| | |
| (l) | Loan Fee. The Borrower shall have paid to the Lender the Initial Loan Fee in immediately available funds. |
14.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Borrower shall deliver the following within the time-periods specified herein:
| | |
| (i) | Risk Management Consent. A Service Provider’s Consent from the provider of risk management services under the Risk Management Agreement in the form prescribed by Lender within ten (10) days after the date of the Risk Management Agreement. |
| | |
| (ii) | Rail Consent. A Service Provider’s Consent from BNSF Railway Company in the form prescribed by Lender within one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date. |
| | |
| (iii) | Third Party Consents. A Service Provider’s Consent, Consent and Acknowledgment of Licensor, Consent and Subordination of Manager, or Consent of Rail Car Lessor, as appropriate, from Fagen under the Design Build Agreement and from each of the other third parties to the Operating Agreements listed on the attachedExhibit F consenting to the collateral assignment of such documents to Lender in the form prescribed by Lender within one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date; provided, however, there will be no consent required from Fremar, LLC. |
| | |
| (iv) | A Consent of Railcar Lessor from the entity leasing a locomotive to Borrower in the form prescribed by Lender within ten (10) days after the date of said Railcar Lease. |
| | |
| (v) | A Consent of Railcar Lessor from CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc.(“CIT”) in the form prescribed by Lender within ten (10) days after the date of said Railcar Lease with CIT. |
| | |
| (vi) | A Service Provider’s Consent from BP with respect to the BP Agreement in the form prescribed by Lender within one ten (10) days after the date of such agreement with BP. |
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15.
GENERAL CONDITIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS
15.1Rights of Third Parties. All conditions of the obligations of Borrower hereunder are imposed solely and exclusively for the benefit of Lender and no other person shall have standing to require satisfaction of such conditions in accordance with their terms or be entitled to assume that Lender will refuse to make advances in the absence of strict compliance with any or all thereof, and no other person shall, under any circumstances, be deemed to be a beneficiary of such conditions, any and all of which may be freely waived in whole or in part by Lender at any time if in its sole discretion it deems it desirable to do so. In particular, Lender makes no representations and assumes no duties or obligations as to third parties concerning the quality of the construction of the Improvements or the absence therefrom of defects. In this connection, Borrower agrees to and shall indemnify Lender from any liability, claims or losses resulting from the disbursement of the Loan proceeds or from the condition of the Premises whether related to the quality of construction or otherwise and whether arising during or after the term of the Loan made by Lender to Borrower in connection therewith. This provision shall survive the repayment of said Loan and shall continue in full force and effect so long as the possibility of any such liability, claims or losses exists.
15.2Evidence of Satisfaction of Conditions. Any condition of this Agreement which requires the submission of evidence of the existence or non-existence of a specified fact or facts implies as a condition the existence or non-existence, as the case may be, of such fact or facts, and Lender shall, at all times, be free independently to establish to its satisfaction and in its absolute discretion such existence or non-existence at its sole cost and expense except as otherwise expressly provided in the Loan Documents.
15.3Indemnification. The Borrower agrees to defend (with counsel satisfactory to the Lender), protect, indemnify, exonerate and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and distributions of any kind or nature (including the disbursements and the reasonable fees of counsel for each Indemnified Party thereto, which shall also include, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnified Party), which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, any Indemnified Party (whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or local laws or regulations, including securities laws, Environmental Laws, commercial laws and regulations, under common law or in equity, or based on contract or otherwise) in any manner relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, including the use or intended use of the proceeds of the Loan, the enforcement of the Lender’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Note, any other instruments and documents delivered hereunder, or under any other agreement between the Borrower and the Lender (other than (i) the LOC Documents which are governed by the indemnification provisions contained in the LOC Documents and (ii) the Sale Documents); provided, however, that the Borrower shall not have any obligations hereunder to any Indemnified Party with respect to matters determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have been caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified Party. To the
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extent that the undertaking to indemnify set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, the Borrower shall satisfy such undertaking to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, cost or expense covered by this indemnity shall be paid to each Indemnified Party on demand, and failing prompt payment, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date incurred by each Indemnified Party until paid by the Borrower, shall be added to the Obligations of the Borrower and be secured by the Collateral. The provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction and payment of the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
15.4Assignment. Borrower may not assign this Loan Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder, including the right to an Advance, without the prior written consent of Lender.
15.5Successors and Assigns Including in Parties. Whenever in this Agreement one of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such parties shall be included and all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of the Borrower or by or on behalf of the Lender shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
15.6Headings. The headings of the sections, paragraphs and subdivisions of this Agreement are for the convenience of reference only, and are not to be considered a part hereof and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms hereof.
15.7Invalid Provisions to Affect no Others. If fulfillment of any provision hereof, or any transaction related thereto at the time performance of any such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending the limit of validity prescribed by law, then, ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such validity; and such clause or provision shall be deemed invalid as though not herein contained, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain operative in full force and effect.
15.8Number and Gender. Whenever the singular or plural number, masculine or feminine or neuter gender is used herein, it shall equally include the other.
15.9Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
15.10Notices. Any notices and other communications permitted or required by the provisions of this Agreement (except for telephonic notices expressly permitted) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given or served by depositing the same with the United States Postal Service, or any official successor thereto, designated as Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, bearing adequate postage, or deposited with reputable private courier or overnight delivery service, and addressed as hereinafter provided. Each such notice shall be effective upon being deposited as aforesaid. The time period within which a response to any such notice must be given, however, shall commence to run from the date of receipt of the notice by the addressee thereof. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because
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of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice sent. By giving to the other party hereto at least ten (10) days’ notice thereof, either party hereto shall have the right from time to time to change its address and shall have the right to specify as its address any other address within the United States of America.
| | |
| Each notice to Lender shall be addressed as follows: |
| | Dougherty Funding LLC |
| | Suite 4300 |
| | 90 South Seventh Street |
| | Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 |
| | Attention: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
| | |
| Each notice to Borrower shall be addressed as follows: |
| |
| | NuGen Energy, LLC |
| | 27283 – 447th Avenue |
| | Marion, SD 57043 |
| | Attention: President |
| | |
| With a copy to: |
| |
| | Central Farmers Cooperative |
| | 44608-273rd Street |
| | Marion, South Dakota 57043 |
| | Attention: General Manager |
15.11Governing Law. Notwithstanding the place of execution of this instrument, the parties to this instrument have contracted for South Dakota law to govern this instrument and it is controllingly agreed that this instrument is made pursuant to and shall be construed and governed by the laws of the State of South Dakota without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
15.12Participation. Lender may in its sole and exclusive discretion issue participations in the Loan and/or assign all or a portion of its obligations to make the Loan to participant(s) in the Loan. The Lender may assign the Loan and its rights and obligations to another lender or to a Person that the Lender merges with, is merged into, or who acquires the assets of Lender or whose assets are acquired by Lender. Subject to the confidentiality restrictions in the participation agreement, Lender may divulge all information received by it from Borrower or any other source, including but not limited to information relating to the Loan, to the Project and to Borrower, to any such participant(s) or other lenders, and Borrower shall cooperate with Lender, at Lender’s expense, in satisfying the reasonable requirements of any such participant(s) or other lenders for consummating such a purchase or participation.
15.13Consent to Jurisdiction. The Borrower submits and consents to personal jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of South Dakota and Courts of the United States of America sitting in such State for the enforcement of this instrument and waives any and all personal rights under the laws of any state or the United States of America to object to
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jurisdiction in the State of South Dakota. Litigation may be commenced in any state court of general jurisdiction for the State of South Dakota or the United States District Court located in that state, at the election of the Lender. Nothing contained herein shall prevent Lender from bringing any action against any other party or exercising any rights against any security given to Lender, or against the Borrower personally, or against any property of the Borrower, within any other state. Commencement of any such action or proceeding in any other state shall not constitute a waiver of consent to jurisdiction or of the submission made by the Borrower to personal jurisdiction within the State of South Dakota.
15.14Counterparts. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All such counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one instrument, but in making proof hereof it shall only be necessary to produce one such counterpart. The signatures to this instrument may be executed on separate pages and when attached to this instrument shall constitute one complete document.
15.15Waiver. THE UNDERSIGNED WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO WHICH ANY PARTIES TO THIS INSTRUMENT ARE INVOLVED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AND ANY MATTER IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS INSTRUMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED HEREUNDER, AND WHETHER ARISING OR ASSERTED BEFORE OR AFTER THE DATE OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE SHALL REMAIN BLANK]
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IN FURTHERANCE WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have hereunto caused these presents to be executed on the date first above written.
| | | | |
| NUGEN ENERGY, LLC, |
| a South Dakota limited liability company |
| |
| By: | | | |
| |
|
| Name: | | |
| |
|
| Its: | | |
| |
|
| |
STATE OF | ) |
| ) ss. |
COUNTY OF | ) |
On this the ______ day of _________, 2009, before me, a notary public, the undersigned officer, personally appeared ______________, who acknowledged himself to be the _________________ of NuGen Energy, LLC, a South Dakota limited liability company, and that such person, as such __________________ being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing the name of the limited liability company by himself as ______________________.
NuGen Energy, LLC, has no seal.
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| | |
| DOUGHERTY FUNDING LLC, a |
| Delaware limited liability company |
| |
| By: | |
| |
|
| | T. Truxtun Morrison |
| Its: | Senior Vice President |
| |
STATE OF MINNESOTA | ) |
| ) ss. |
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN | ) |
On this the ______ day of _________, 2009, before me, a notary public, the undersigned officer, personally appeared T. Truxtun Morrison, who acknowledged himself to be the Senior Vice President of Dougherty Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and that such person, as such Senior Vice President being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing the name of the limited liability company by himself as Senior Vice President.
Dougherty Funding LLC has no seal.
THIS DOCUMENT WAS DRAFTED BY:
OPPENHEIMER WOLFF & DONNELLY LLP (CAE)
Plaza VII, Suite 3400
45 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
TABLE OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A – Premises
Exhibit B-1 – Make-Up Consideration
Exhibit B-2 – Make-Up Contracts
Exhibit C – Service Provider’s Consent
Exhibit D-1 – Owned Intellectual Property
Exhibit D-2 – Licensed Intellectual Property
Exhibit E – Transferred Agreements Subject to Post-Closing Consent
Exhibit F – Third Party Consents
Schedule 5.13 – ERISA
Schedule 7.9 – Permits
Schedule 7.17 – Hazardous Substances Disclosures
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EXHIBIT A
Premises Legal Description
Lots 1 and 2 of Millennium Ethanol LLC Addition, located in Section 36, Township 100 North, Range 55 West of the 5th P.M. and in Section 31, Township 100 North, Range 54 West of the 5th P.M., Turner County, South Dakota, as shown on the plat recorded in Book 7 of Plats, Pages 415-417.
Lot 20, Marion Industrial Park Addition, an addition to the City of Marion, Turner County, South Dakota.
EXHIBIT B-1
Make-Up Consideration
EXHIBIT B-2
Make-Up Contracts
EXHIBIT C
Service Provider’s Consent
Dougherty Funding LLC
90 South Seventh Street, Suite 4400
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
| | | |
| Re: | Project: | NuGen Ethanol Plant (“Project”) |
| | | Marion, South Dakota |
| | Owner/Borrower: | NuGen Energy, LLC |
| | Identify Name of Agreement: ____________________________ |
| | Dated: _________________ |
| | Identify Service to be Provided under Agreement (“Service”):__________ |
Ladies/Gentlemen:
We are the entity supplying services (the “Services”) to the Project under the subject Agreement (“Agreement”). We understand that you are making a loan to the Borrower to finance the Project (“Loan”). We further understand that the Borrower has collaterally assigned to you all of its right in the Agreement (“Assignment”). We consent to such Assignment and advise you that:
| |
1. | Attached hereto as Exhibit “A” is a copy of the complete Agreement. |
| |
2. | Upon the occurrence of a default and subsequent failure to cure by the Borrower under the Agreement we shall notify you in writing at your address above and you shall have the right, exercisable for 30 days after such notice, to elect in writing to us to require us to continue performance under the Agreement in which case we shall thereafter continue to provide the Service under the Agreement provided we are reimbursed in accordance with the Agreement for our Services. |
| |
3. | All approvals necessary to commence construction of any facilities necessary to provide the Service in the Agreement have been obtained. |
| |
4. | All preconditions necessary to furnish the Services in the Agreement have been satisfied. |
| |
5. | All contracts necessary to complete such facilities have been executed and delivered. |
| |
6. | Any right to terminate the Agreement other than by reason of the failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations thereunder are expressly waived. In that connection the Borrower has deposited with us all cash payments and security required under the Agreement. |
| | |
Dated: ___________________, 2009 | | |
| |
|
|
| | By: |
| |
|
| | Its: |
| |
|
EXHIBIT D-1
Owned Intellectual Property
None
EXHIBIT D-2
Licensed Intellectual Property
| |
1. | ICM License Agreement |
| |
2. | Great Plains Software |
| |
3. | CompuWeigh Software |
| |
4. | Siemens APACS Distributed Control System |
EXHIBIT E
Transferred Agreements Subject to Post-Closing Consent
| |
1. | Energy Management Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2006, between Energy Management and Consulting Services, LLC and Millennium Ethanol, LLC |
| |
2. | Electric Service Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2006, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Millennium Ethanol, LLC, as amended by Service Provider Consent and Amendment to Electric Service Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2007, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc., Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Dougherty Funding LLC, as each are amended by Amendment to Electric Service Agreement II, dated as of May 21, 2009, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
3. | Industry Track Agreement, made as of May 25, 2006, by and between BNSF Railway Company and Millennium Ethanol, LLC |
| |
4. | Service Agreement between ICM, Inc. and Millennium Ethanol, LLC executed by Millenium Ethanol, LLC on November 17, 2005 |
| |
5. | Lease of Land for Construction/Rehabilitation of Track between BNSF Railway Company and Millenium Ethanol, LLC dated May 25, 2006 |
| |
6. | Railworks Contract, dated July 31, 2006, between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Railworks Track Systems, Inc. |
| |
7. | Firm Throughput Service Agreement between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Northern Natural Gas Company dated June 9, 2006, as amended. Affirmation of Obligations Relating to Facilities, dated June 8, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC and First Amendment to Affirmation of Obligations Relating to Facilities Contract No. 600979, dated June 11, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
8. | Agreement to Provide Security, dated June 8, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
9. | Lump Sum Design-Build Contract dated May 5, 2006 between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Fagen, Inc. |
| |
10. | License Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2006, between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and ICM, Inc. |
| |
13. | Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
14. | RELCO Locomotives, Inc. Locomotive Maintenance Agreement, dated June 22, 2009, between Marion Energy Investments, LLC and RELCO Locomotives |
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| |
15. | RELCO Finance, Inc. Locomotive Lease Agreement, dated June 22, 2009, between Marion Energy Investments, LLC and RELCO Finance, Inc. |
| |
16. | Rider One (1) to Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC (a rider to the Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC) |
| |
17. | Rider Two (2) to Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated July 13, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC (a rider to the Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC) |
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EXHIBIT F
Third Party Agreements Requiring Collateral Consent
| |
1. | License Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2006, between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and ICM, Inc. |
| |
2. | Lump Sum Design-Build Contract dated May 5, 2006 between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Fagen, Inc. |
| |
3. | Management Agreement dated June 25, 2009, between Borrower and Central Farmers Cooperative |
| |
4. | Electric Service Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2006, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Millennium Ethanol, LLC, as amended by Service Provider Consent and Amendment to Electric Service Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2007, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc., Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Dougherty Funding LLC, as each are amended by Amendment to Electric Service Agreement II, dated as of May 21, 2009, between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
5. | Application for Transfer of Water Service dated as of December 26, 2007, originally between US Bio Marion, LLC and TM Rural Water District. Water Use Agreement dated as of June 14, 2006 originally between TM Rural Water District and Millennium Ethanol, LLC, as amended by Addendum and Consent to Assignment originally between TM Rural Water District and Marion Energy Investments, LLC dated May 13, 2009. Water Treatment Plant Financing Agreement dated June 14, 2006 originally between TM Rural Water District and Millennium Ethanol, LLC |
| |
6. | Firm Throughput Service Agreement between Millennium Ethanol, LLC and Northern Natural Gas Company dated June 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented by Affirmation of Obligations Relating to Facilities, dated June 8, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC and First Amendment to Affirmation of Obligations Relating to Facilities Contract No. 600979, dated June 11, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC, and as supplemented by Agreement to Provide Security, dated June 8, 2009, between Northern Natural Gas and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
| |
7. | Energy Management Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2006, between Energy Management and Consulting Services, LLC and Millennium Ethanol, LLC |
| |
8. | Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC, as supplemented by Rider One (1) to Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC (a rider to the Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC), as further supplemented by Rider Two (2) to Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated July 13, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company |
| |
| and Marion Energy Investments, LLC (a rider to the Railroad Car Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, between Trinity Industries Leasing Company and Marion Energy Investments, LLC). |
| |
9. | Letter Agreement for Request for Gas Distribution Service dated June 15, 2009 between Marion Energy Investments, LLC and NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy |
| |
10. | Distiller’s Grain Marketing Agreement dated June 16, 2009 between Borrower and CHS, Inc. |
| |
11. | Ethanol Sales and Marketing Agreement between Borrower and CHS, Inc. dated June 16, 2009 |
| |
12. | Industry Track Agreement, made as of May 25, 2006, by and between BNSF Railway Company and Millennium Ethanol, LLC. Lease of Land for Construction/Rehabilitation of Track between BNSF Railway Company and Millenium Ethanol, LLC dated May 25, 2006. |
| |
13. | GATX Rail Car Service Contract, dated July 1, 2009, originally between GATX Corporation and Marion Energy Investments, LLC (Contract No. 9431), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 9431, dated July 1, 2009, originally between GATX Corporation and Marion Energy Investments, LLC, as further amended by Rider No. 1 to Car Service Contract No. 9431, dated July 1, 2009, originally between GATX Corporation and Marion Energy Investments, LLC |
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EXHIBIT G
| | |
Agreement | | Timeframe |
| |
|
Risk Management Agreement | | 120 days from Closing Date |
BP Agreement | | 30 days from Closing Date |
Railcar Lease with CIT | | 30 days from Closing Date |
Railcar Lease for locomotive | | 120 days from Closing Date unless other arrangement acceptable to Lender is made |
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SCHEDULE 5.13
ERISA
None
SCHEDULE 7.9
Permits
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1. | Alcohol Fuel Producer Permit from U.S. Department of Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |
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2. | South Dakota Fuel Tax License |
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3. | Commercial feed licenses or permits in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota |
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4. | SDDENR Title V Air Quality Permit |
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5. | SDDENR Storm Water Discharge Permit for Industrial Activities |
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6. | SDDENR Strom Water Discharge Permit for Construction Activities |
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7. | SDDENR Surface Water Discharge Permit |
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8. | SDDENR Notification for Above Ground Stationery Storage Tanks |
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9. | Effective Fuel Additive Manufacturer’s Notification with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) |
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10. | EPA Facility Identification Number and Company Identification Number as a RIN Generator |
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11. | Integrated Contingency Plan |
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12. | Risk Management Plan |
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13. | Spill Pollution Control and Countermeasure Plan |
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14. | Submitted IRS Form 637 (Blender Excise Tax from U.S. Department of Treasury) |
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15. | FDA Food Facility Registration |
SCHEDULE 7.17
Hazardous Substances Disclosures
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1. | The Soil Stabilization Requirements. |
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2. | Those permits set forth on the attached Schedule 7.9 have not yet been issued, which permits have been applied for, are paid for, and are in the process of being issued, and Borrower will ensure such permits on the attached Schedule 7.9 will be issued within sixty (60) days from the Closing Date. |