Exhibit 10.54
LOAN AGREEMENT
Between
MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS FINANCE CORPORATION
(the "Issuer")
and
PRIORITY FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INC.
(the "Obligor")
Relating to the
Issuance of
$5,000,000
Mississippi Business Finance Corporation
Taxable Variable Rate Demand
Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 2004
(Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc. Project)
Dated as of November 1, 2004
The interest (subject to certain specified exclusions) of the Issuer
in this Loan Agreement has been assigned to U.S. Bank National
Association, in its capacity as Trustee (the "Trustee") under a
Trust Indenture dated as of November 1, 2004, between the Issuer and
the Trustee.
ARTICLE I REPRESENTATIONS.......................................................................... 3
Section 1.1 Obligor Representations and Covenants............................................... 3
Section 1.2 Intentionally Omitted............................................................... 5
Section 1.3 Issuer Representations.............................................................. 5
Section 1.4 Benefits Under the Act.............................................................. 6
ARTICLE II THE BONDS AND THE PROCEEDS THEREOF....................................................... 7
Section 2.1 The Bonds........................................................................... 7
Section 2.2 Issuer Action on Redemption......................................................... 7
Section 2.3 Investment of Bond Fund and Project Fund............................................ 8
Section 2.4 Credit Facility..................................................................... 8
Section 2.5 Tender.............................................................................. 8
Section 2.6 Remarketing Agent................................................................... 8
Section 2.7 Right to Exercise Conversion Option................................................. 9
ARTICLE III THE LOAN AND LOAN REPAYMENTS............................................................. 9
Section 3.1 The Loan............................................................................ 9
Section 3.2 Loan Repayments; Credit Facility.................................................... 9
ARTICLE IV INSTALLATION OF THE PROJECT.............................................................. 10
Section 4.1 Project Fund Disbursements.......................................................... 10
Section 4.2 Obligation of the Obligor to Complete the Project................................... 11
Section 4.3 Completion Certificate.............................................................. 11
Section 4.4 Use of Surplus Bond Proceeds........................................................ 11
ARTICLE V OTHER PECUNIARY OBLIGATIONS OF THE OBLIGOR............................................... 11
Section 5.1 Taxes and Other Costs............................................................... 11
Section 5.2 Issuer Fees and Expenses............................................................ 12
Section 5.3 Fees and Expenses of the Trustee and Remarketing Agent.............................. 12
Section 5.4 Indemnification of the Issuer....................................................... 12
Section 5.5 Indemnification of the Trustee...................................................... 13
Section 5.6 Insurance........................................................................... 13
ARTICLE VI PROJECT MAINTENANCE...................................................................... 14
Section 6.1 Maintenance and Operation........................................................... 14
Section 6.2 Remodeling and Modifications........................................................ 14
ARTICLE VII DAMAGE TO PROJECT AND CONDEMNATION........................................................ 14
ARTICLE VIII ACTIONS AFFECTING OBLIGOR AND ISSUER INTERESTS IN THE AGREEMENT AND THE PROJECT......... 14
Section 8.1 Assignment of the Agreement......................................................... 14
Section 8.2 Obligor's Interest in the Agreement................................................. 15
Section 8.3 Liens by the Obligor................................................................ 15
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Section 8.4 Security Interest in the Project Fund............................................... 15
Section 8.5 Ownership of Project................................................................ 15
ARTICLE IX FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE OBLIGOR....................................................... 15
Section 9.1 Compliance with Laws................................................................ 15
Section 9.2 Ownership of Project................................................................ 15
Section 9.3 Access to Project and Records....................................................... 16
ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES........................................................... 16
Section 10.1 Events of Default................................................................... 16
Section 10.2 Remedies upon Event of Default...................................................... 17
Section 10.3 Payment of Attorneys' Fees and Other Expenses....................................... 18
Section 10.4 Waivers and Limitation on Waivers................................................... 18
ARTICLE XI OBLIGATIONS OF OBLIGOR UNCONDITIONAL..................................................... 18
Section 11.1 Obligor Obligations................................................................. 18
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................ 19
Section 12.1 Amounts Remaining in Funds.......................................................... 19
Section 12.2 Obligor Bound by Indenture.......................................................... 19
Section 12.3 Consents Under the Agreement........................................................ 19
Section 12.4 Notices............................................................................. 19
Section 12.5 Amendment........................................................................... 20
Section 12.6 Binding Effect...................................................................... 20
Section 12.7 Severability........................................................................ 20
Section 12.8 Execution in Counterparts........................................................... 20
Section 12.9 Captions and Table of Contents...................................................... 20
Section 12.10 Applicable Law...................................................................... 20
Section 12.11 Rights of the Bank.................................................................. 20
EXHIBIT A - Description of Project.................................................................... A-1
EXHIBIT B - Requisition Certificate................................................................... B-1
EXHIBIT C - Completion Certificate.................................................................... C-1
EXHIBIT D - No Act of Bankruptcy Certificate.......................................................... D-1
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LOAN AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
November 1, 2004, by and between the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation
(the "Issuer") and Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Obligor").
DEFINITIONS
Except as provided herein, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Indenture (defined below). In addition to the words and
terms elsewhere defined in the Agreement, each of the following words and terms
as used in the Agreement shall have the following meaning unless the context or
use indicates another or different meaning or intent and shall refer to all or
part of the defined subject.
"Additional Bonds" means the Additional Bonds which are authorized to be
issued in accordance with Section 112 of the Indenture in one or more series
from time to time to provide funds for the purposes contemplated by the
Agreement.
"Completion Certificate" means the certificate provided for in Section 4.3
hereof, in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
"Completion Date" means the date of completion of the Project as such date
shall be certified in the Completion Certificate.
"Event of Default" means those events of default specified and defined in
Section 10.1.
"General Limitations" means those general limitations on the Obligor
action or failure to act specified in Section 9.3 hereof, sometimes referenced
as a condition to a particular Obligor action, but applicable to any action by
the Obligor under the Agreement.
"Improvements to the Project" means such additions, improvements,
modifications or relocations as the Obligor may deem necessary or desirable in,
on or to the Project, all of which shall become part of the Project.
"Indemnified Persons" means the Issuer and its members, officers, agents
and employees.
"Indenture" means the Trust Indenture between the Issuer and the Trustee,
dated as of November 1, 2004, as the same may be amended or supplemented in
accordance with its terms.
"Inducement Date" means August 18, 2004, on which date a resolution of
intent or inducement to assist in the financing of the Project was adopted by
the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation.
"Issuance Costs" means items of expense payable or reimbursable directly
or indirectly by the Issuer and related to the authorization, sale and issuance
of the Bonds and authorization and execution of the Agreement, which items of
expense shall include, but not be limited to, the Issuer's fee, application fees
and expenses, publication costs, printing costs, costs of reproducing documents,
filing and recording fees, Bond Counsel and Counsel fees, initial Trustee's
fees,
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initial Remarketing Agent's fees, placement agents' fees, costs of credit
ratings, Credit Facility issuance fees and charges for execution, transportation
and safekeeping of the Bonds and related documents, and other costs, charges and
fees in connection with the foregoing.
"Issuance Fee" means the Bond issuance fee payable to the Issuer on or
before the Effective Date in the amount of $15,000.
"Municipality" means the City of Southaven, Mississippi.
"Permitted Encumbrances" means and includes (a) the rights of the Issuer,
the Trustee and the Bank and the liens created under the Agreement; (b) the
rights of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Bank created under the Indenture and
assignment of the Agreement; (c) any lien, encumbrance or charge, which is
subordinate in all respects to the interest of the Issuer, the Trustee and the
Bank; (d) any liens granted to the Bank; and (e) liens permitted by the
Reimbursement Agreement or consented to by the Bank in writing.
"Project" means the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment
and fixtures in a distribution facility located in the Municipality, as more
fully described in Exhibit A hereto, including such modifications thereof,
substitutions therefor, and Improvements to the Project, and excluding such
deletions therefrom, as shall be made in accordance with the Agreement.
"Project Costs" means (a) obligations of the Issuer or the Obligor
incurred for labor and materials and to contractors, builders and materialmen in
connection with the acquisition, construction, equipping and installation of the
Project; (b) the cost of contract bonds and of insurance of all kinds that may
be required or necessary during the course of construction of the Project which
is not paid by the contractor or contractors or otherwise provided for; (c) all
costs of engineering services, including test borings, surveys, estimates, plans
and specifications and preliminary investigations, and supervising construction,
as well as for the performance of all other duties required by or consequent
upon the proper construction of the Project; (d) Issuance Costs; (e) all other
costs which the Obligor shall be required to pay, under the terms of any
contract or contracts, for the acquisition, construction, equipping and
installation of the Project; (f) other costs of a nature comparable to those
described in clauses (a) through (e) above which the Obligor shall be required
to pay as a result of the damage, destruction, condemnation or taking of the
Project or any portion thereof; (g) interest on the Bonds or any interim
obligation during the period of construction of the Project; or (h) any other
costs incurred by the Obligor which are properly chargeable to the Project and
which may be financed by the Bonds under the Act.
"Project Purposes" means use of the Project in connection with logistics
and distribution.
The terms "redemption", "redeem" and "redeemed" when used with reference
to the principal of the Bonds, means, when appropriate, prepayment, prepay and
prepaid, respectively.
"Requisition Certificate" means the certificate required by Section 4.1
hereof, in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
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PREMISES
The Issuer is empowered under the Act to assist any person, firm or
corporation in the financing of certain projects and facilities, through the
issuance of its limited obligation revenue bonds. The Obligor has proposed the
acquisition, equipping and installation of the Project and as an inducement
therefor has requested the Issuer to assist in the financing of the Project and
certain other expenses incidental thereto, as provided in the Act.
The Issuer has determined that making the Loan to the Obligor will promote
and serve the intended purposes of, and in all respects will conform to the
provisions and requirements of the Act. In order to grant the Loan and thereby
assist in the financing of the Project, the Issuer is issuing the Bonds. The
Issuer, the Trustee and the Obligor understand and intend that the financing of
the Project through issuance of the Bonds and the making of the Loan will be
structured in the following general manner, as detailed in the Indenture and in
the Agreement: The Issuer will issue the Bonds under the Act and use the
principal amount thereof to make the Loan to the Obligor. The Loan shall be
repaid by the Obligor in Loan Repayments sufficient to pay the principal,
premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds as the same become due. From the
proceeds of the Loan, the Obligor will acquire, equip and install the Project.
Under the terms of this Agreement, the Obligor will make Loan Repayments, and
will be responsible for paying any costs of the Project which exceed the
principal amount of the Bonds, for maintaining and insuring the Project, and for
paying all taxes and expenses relating to the Project. The Issuer's obligation
with respect to the Bonds is subject to the limitations herein contained, viz.,
that the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds and any other
costs or pecuniary liability relating to the Bonds, the Loan, the acquisition,
equipping and installation of the Project or any proceeding, document, or
certification incidental to the foregoing, shall never be payable from tax
revenues or public funds of the State or any agency thereof or general funds or
assets of the Issuer, but shall be payable with Available Moneys solely and only
from the Security. The Bonds shall not be secured by any interest in the Project
or other assets of the Obligor.
In addition, as part of the Security for the Loan Repayments the Obligor
will cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Credit Facility of the Bank. The
Trustee is instructed in the Indenture to draw under the Credit Facility up to
(a) the principal amount of the Bonds (i) to enable the Trustee to pay the
principal amount of the Bonds when due at maturity, by acceleration of maturity
or otherwise or upon redemption or (ii) to enable the Trustee to pay the portion
of the Purchase Price of Bonds delivered to the Trustee and not remarketed by
the Remarketing Agent equal to the principal amount of such Bonds, plus (b) an
amount equal to 45 days' (or, if required pursuant to Section 208 of the
Indenture, 210 days') interest on the Bonds calculated at the Maximum Rate to
enable the Trustee to pay interest on the Bonds plus (c) if the Credit Facility
is so amended, any premium on the Bonds.
ARTICLE I
REPRESENTATIONS
Section 1.1 Obligor Representations and Covenants. The Obligor makes the
following representations and warranties for the benefit and reliance of the
Issuer, the Trustee and the Bank:
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(a) The Obligor is a Delaware corporation and is duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State. The Obligor (i) has
full power and authority to own and/or lease the properties and assets
associated with the Project and to equip and install the Project, and (ii) has
full power and authority to execute and deliver the Agreement, the Reimbursement
Agreement, the Placement Agreement, the Remarketing Agreement and the Pledge
Agreement, and to perform the obligations as contemplated thereunder.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of the Reimbursement Agreement, the
Placement Agreement, the Remarketing Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, nor
the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and conditions of the
Reimbursement Agreement, the Placement Agreement, the Remarketing Agreement, the
Pledge Agreement or the Agreement, will, to the best knowledge of the Obligor,
violate the Charter or By-laws of the Obligor, any provision of law, any order
of any court or other agency of government, or any indenture, agreement or other
instrument to which the Obligor is now a party or by which it or any of its
properties or assets is bound, or will be in conflict with, result in a breach
of, or constitute a default (with due notice or the passage of time or both)
under, any such indenture, agreement, or other instrument, the result of which
conflict, breach or default would result in a material adverse affect on the
Obligor.0
(c) This Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement, the Placement Agreement,
the Remarketing Agreement, and the Pledge Agreement have been duly authorized,
executed and delivered and are each valid and binding obligations of the Obligor
enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the enforceability of
creditors' rights generally or by general principles of equity.
(d) The Obligor intends to operate the Project or cause the Project to be
operated at all times during the term of the Agreement for Project Purposes and
does not know of any reason why the Project will not be so used by it in the
absence of supervening circumstance not now anticipated by it or beyond its
control.
(e) The Project will be completed in such manner as to conform with all
applicable zoning, planning, building and other regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction of the Project, all necessary utilities are or
will be available to the Project, and the Obligor has obtained or will obtain
all requisite zoning, planning, building, environmental or other permits
necessary for the construction and installation of the Project for Project
Purposes, and additional permits necessary for the use of the Project are
expected to be obtained upon application at the appropriate times.
(f) The Obligor's estimates of Project Costs, the Completion Date and
period of usefulness of the Project which were supplied to the Issuer have been
made in good faith and are, to the best of the Obligor's knowledge, fair,
reasonable and realistic.
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(g) No litigation or governmental proceeding is pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Obligor threatened against the Obligor which could have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition or business, or its power to
borrow or repay the Loan.
(h) The Obligor will operate the Project as an "economic development
project" under the Act during the term of this Agreement. The Project qualifies
as an "economic development project" under the Act.
(i) All the net Bond proceeds from the sale of the Bonds will be expended
for Project Costs. No costs of the Project to be financed from the proceeds of
the Bonds were paid for or incurred prior to 60 days before official action was
taken by the Issuer on the Inducement Date. No portion of the Project has been
placed in service prior to the Inducement Date.
(j) The Obligor expects to cause the Project to be utilized for
distribution activities for the term the Bonds will be outstanding.
(k) No expenditures for the Project were made prior to 60 days before the
Issuer adopted its official intent resolution for the Project on the Inducement
Date.
Section 1.2 Intentionally Omitted.
Section 1.3 Issuer Representations.
(a) Based upon the advice of Bond Counsel, the Issuer has the necessary
power under the Act, and has duly taken all action on its part required to
authorize, execute and deliver the Agreement and to issue the Bonds. The
execution and performance by the Issuer of its obligations under this Agreement
will not violate or conflict with any instrument by which the Issuer or its
properties are bound.
(b) All of the proceedings approving the Agreement and the Indenture
relating to the Bonds were conducted by the Issuer at meetings which complied
with the Mississippi Open Meetings Act.
(c) No member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer is directly or
indirectly a party to or in any manner whatsoever interested in the Agreement,
the Indenture, the Bonds or the proceedings related thereto.
Additional Bonds. At the request of the Obligor the Issuer may, but
shall not be required to, authorize the issuance of the Additional
Bonds in accordance with Section 112 of the Indenture. Additional
Bonds shall not be issued without the prior written consent of the
Bank. The terms of any Additional Bonds shall be approved in writing
by the Obligor. Additional Bonds may be issued only to finance any
one or more of the following: (i) the costs of making Improvements
to the Project; (ii) the refunding of all or any part of the Bonds;
and (iii) the Issuance Costs relating to the Additional Bonds and
other costs reasonably related to the financing as
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shall be agreed upon by the Obligor and the Issuer. Any Improvements
to the Project acquired with the proceeds of the Additional Bonds
shall become a part of the Project and shall be included under the
Agreement. Refusal for any reason by the Issuer to issue Additional
Bonds shall not release the Obligor from any provisions of the
Agreement.
Section 1.4 Benefits Under the Act.
(a) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Obligor has been induced to
proceed with the acquisition, equipping and installation of the Project in part
by the benefits conferred by the Act. The Issuer hereby agrees that the Obligor
shall be permitted to take advantage of all of the benefits provided by the Act
to the fullest extent therein set forth subject to the rules and regulations of
the Issuer and the provisions of the Act. The Issuer agrees that it will not
take any action to limit, curtail or otherwise make unavailable to the Obligor
any of the benefits available under the Act.
(b) With respect to benefits conferred by the Act referenced in (a) above,
the following shall apply:
(i) the maximum benefits accruing in any calendar year with
respect to the income tax credit (other than any credits which
may be carried forward to future years pursuant to the Act)
shall not exceed the payments of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest payments on the Bonds during such year, and
the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other fees and
expenses referenced herein.
(ii) the deductibility of interest payments on the Bonds shall be
determined in accordance with applicable Mississippi law.
(iii) the Obligor shall request the Trustee to provide the Issuer,
not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each calendar
year, with a certificate setting forth the amount of all
payments made to the Trustee with respect to the Bonds whether
for principal, premium, interest or the fees and expenses of
the Trustee.
(c) the benefits accruing to the Obligor under this Section 1.5 shall
cease in the event:
(i) a Default should occur under this Agreement or an Event of
Default should occur under the Indenture; or
(ii) the Obligor should fail to operate the Project for a period of
nine (9) consecutive months following the initial start up of
the Project except for force majeure, strikes, lockouts,
damage, destruction, act of God, act of terrorism or in
general, reasons beyond the Obligor's reasonable control
excepting, however, general economic conditions.
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(d) the Obligor agrees to comply with the terms and provisions of
the Act in all respects with respect to the benefits available under the
Act.
(e) the benefits or credits available under the Act shall cease to
accrue on the date the principal and interest on the Bonds are paid in
full whether at maturity or by way of redemption, except for any
carryforward available under the Act.
(f) the benefits accruing to the Obligor under this Section 1.5
shall be limited to the annual debt service payments on the Bonds for
qualified Project Costs and shall be reduced by the amount of surplus
funds remaining after completion which shall be used to redeem Bonds as
provided for in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.
(g) the tax credits allowed as a benefit under the Act shall be
further limited so that the credits allowed in any year shall not exceed
eighty percent (80%) of the amount of taxes due to the State prior to the
application of the credits (as directed in Section 27-7-22.3, Mississippi
Code of 1972, as amended). To the extent that the payments of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Bonds during
any year and the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other fees and
expenses referenced herein exceed the amount of the tax credit authorized
by Section 27-7-22.3, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, in any taxable
year, such excess payment may be recouped from excess credits in
succeeding years not to exceed three (3) years following the date upon
which the credit was earned.
The Issuer makes no warranty or guaranty concerning the availability or
application of the benefits granted or earned by the Obligor under this Section
1.5 or the Act.
ARTICLE II
THE BONDS AND THE PROCEEDS THEREOF
Section 2.1 The Bonds. The Issuer has authorized the issuance and sale of
the Bonds. Upon issuance and delivery, the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds
derived by the Issuer shall be deposited with the Trustee as follows: (a) in the
Bond Fund, a sum equal to the accrued interest, if any, on the Bonds and (b) in
the Project Fund the balance of the proceeds of the Bonds. The obligations of
the Issuer and the Obligor under the Agreement are expressly conditioned upon
delivery of the Bonds and receipt of the proceeds thereof.
Section 2.2 Issuer Action on Redemption. The Issuer shall, at the request
of the Obligor in the case of an optional redemption or at the request of the
Trustee in the case of a mandatory redemption on expiration of the Credit
Facility, or mandatory redemption from Surplus Bond Proceeds, forthwith take all
steps as may be necessary under the Indenture to effect the earliest practicable
redemption, as provided under the Indenture, of any or all of the Bonds or
portions thereof as may be specified by the Obligor or Trustee, as the case may
be.
In the event of an optional redemption, mandatory redemption from Surplus
Bond Proceeds (as defined in Section 4.4 hereof) or mandatory redemption on
expiration of the Credit Facility, unless such redemption is effected in
connection with a refunding, the Obligor will pay or cause to be paid pursuant
to a draw on the Credit Facility (or, with respect to any premium, if premium is
not covered by the Credit Facility, with Available Moneys) an amount equal to
the
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applicable redemption price as a prepayment of the principal amount of the
Loan corresponding to such Bonds or portions thereof, together with premium, if
any, and interest accrued to the redemption date.
In the case of an Extraordinary Optional Redemption, the Obligor's
direction to the Issuer to redeem shall be given, if at all, within six months
following the occurrence of the event giving rise to such redemption.
Section 2.3 Investment of Bond Fund and Project Fund. Any moneys held as
part of the Bond Fund or Project Fund shall be invested, reinvested or applied
by the Trustee in accordance with and subject to the conditions of Article VII
of the Indenture. The Obligor acknowledges that regulations of the Comptroller
of the Currency grant the Obligor the right to receive brokerage confirmations
of the security transactions as they occur. The Obligor specifically waives such
notification to the extent permitted by law and will receive periodic cash
transaction statements which will detail all investment transactions.
Section 2.4 Credit Facility. The Obligor shall cause the Credit Facility
to be delivered to the Trustee on or before the Effective Date. The Credit
Facility shall (a) be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
the Bonds outstanding from time to time plus 45 days' (or if required pursuant
to Section 208 of the Indenture, 210 days') interest thereon calculated at the
Maximum Rate, plus premium, if any; (b) provide for payment to the extent of the
amount specified in the preceding clause (a) in immediately available funds to
the Trustee (upon receipt of the Trustee's request for payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Bonds then outstanding on any Bond
Payment Date, proposed Conversion Date, Conversion Date, Substitution Date,
Purchase Date or redemption date pursuant to the Indenture); and (c) provide an
expiration date no earlier than the earliest of (i) the payment in full by the
Bank of funds authorized to be drawn thereunder so that there are no Outstanding
Bonds, (ii) the honoring by the Bank of a draft on the Credit Facility for all
Outstanding Bonds, (iii) a stated expiration date, (iv) the day after any Fixed
Rate Conversion Date if the Obligor so elects, or (v) the fifteenth day
following an Event of Default pursuant to Section 801(d) of the Indenture. The
Obligor will cause any extension of the Credit Facility to be deposited by the
Bank with the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the last Interest Payment Date
prior to the expiration of the Credit Facility or Substitute Credit Facility
then in effect. Each extension of the Credit Facility shall be satisfactory in
form and substance to the Trustee. Following the Fixed Rate Conversion Date, the
Bonds may, but need not, be secured by a Credit Facility. The Obligor shall have
the right to provide a Substitute Credit Facility in accordance with Section 210
of the Indenture.
Section 2.5 Tender. The Issuer agrees to cause the Trustee in the
Indenture to act as tender agent for the Obligor in connection with certain
tenders of Variable Rate Bonds and as tender agent for the Bank in connection
with certain other tenders of Variable Rate Bonds, all as provided in Article II
of the Indenture.
Section 2.6 Remarketing Agent. The Obligor hereby approves of the
appointment of Comerica Securities, as the initial Remarketing Agent and further
covenants and agrees that without prior written notice to the Trustee, and
without written approval by the Bank which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, it will not change the Remarketing Agent.
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Section 2.7 Right to Exercise Conversion Option. Subject to the ability of
the Obligor to satisfy certain conditions described in the Indenture, the right
is reserved to the Obligor, upon receipt of prior approval from the Bank (but
only if the existing Credit Facility will remain in effect following the
proposed conversion or, in any event, if a draw may be made on the existing
Credit Facility in connection with the proposed conversion), to exercise the
conversion option in accordance with the Indenture.
ARTICLE III
THE LOAN AND LOAN REPAYMENTS
Section 3.1 The Loan. Concurrently with the delivery of the Bonds, the
Issuer will, upon the terms and conditions of the Agreement, lend to the
Obligor, by deposit of the proceeds thereof with the Trustee in the Project
Fund, an amount equal to the principal amount of the Bonds for application to
Project Costs. The accrued interest, if any, received by the Issuer upon the
sale of the Bonds shall be deposited into the Bond Fund and shall be applied to
the first interest due on such Bonds.
Section 3.2 Loan Repayments; Credit Facility. Except as hereinafter
provided, the Obligor shall pay or cause to be paid, in immediately available
funds, to the Trustee, for the account of the Issuer, loan repayments
corresponding to the principal, premium, if any, purchase price and interest
payments on the Bonds (the "Loan Repayments"); in lieu of such payments, the
Trustee shall draw on the Credit Facility, pursuant to Section 209 of the
Indenture, amounts equal to such Loan Repayments. So long as the Credit Facility
is in effect, the Loan Repayments representing principal of, premium, if any,
and interest payments on the Bonds shall be made from deposits of the proceeds
of drawings under the Credit Facility and the Obligor shall reimburse the Bank
in accordance with the Reimbursement Agreement. The Obligor shall pay or cause
to be paid Loan Repayments in installments equal to (a) the principal of the
Bonds maturing or subject to redemption on any Bond Payment Date, (b) the
interest on the Bonds at the interest rate then in effect, due on each Bond
Payment Date and (c) any premium required to be paid on the Bonds.
Payments of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Bonds
shall be made solely from the Security, including draws under the Credit
Facility (except with respect to premium, unless the Credit Facility has been
amended to cover premium on the Bonds). The Obligor's obligation to make Loan
Repayments is and shall remain unconditional regardless of the sufficiency and
availability of Available Moneys to make such payments.
With written notice to the Issuer, the Bank and the Trustee, the Obligor
may prepay in whole or in part amounts due on account of the Loan Repayments or
for the redemption of Bonds prior to maturity or purchase, but such prepayment
shall not in any way alter or suspend any of the obligations of the Obligor
under the terms of the Agreement and the Obligor shall continue to perform and
be responsible for the performance of all other terms and provisions. Such
notice shall be given at least 10 Business Days before the Trustee is to give
notice of any related redemption pursuant to Article IV of the Indenture. The
Issuer agrees that the Trustee may accept such prepayments when the same are
tendered by the Obligor and that such prepayments may be directed by the Obligor
to be used for credit on Loan Repayments or for the
9
redemption or purchase of Bonds in the manner and to the extent provided herein
and in the Indenture.
In the event the Obligor prepays Loan Repayments in the following manner
and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture: (a) in Available Moneys,
after delivering the No Act of Bankruptcy Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit
D to the Trustee or (b) by causing the Trustee to draw on the Credit Facility,
for deposit in the Bond Fund in an amount of money (or in any other manner
satisfactory to the Trustee) which, together with amounts then on deposit in the
Bond Fund and available therefor, shall be sufficient (i) to retire and redeem
at the earliest date(s) permitted under the Indenture all of the then Bonds
outstanding and (ii) to pay any interest accruing on the Bonds to maturity or
redemption, and shall also make provision satisfactory to the Issuer and the
Trustee for all fees, costs and expenses specified in Article V hereof accruing
through the final payment of the Bonds, then the Loan shall be deemed fully
repaid and canceled, and the lien of the Indenture shall be discharged, except
for the provisions providing for payment of principal of, premium, if any, and
interest to the Bondholders.
ARTICLE IV
INSTALLATION OF THE PROJECT
Section 4.1 Project Fund Disbursements. There is established with the
Trustee under the Indenture the Project Fund, the moneys in which, subject to
the terms hereof and of the Indenture, and subject to the security interest
therein granted by the Obligor to the Issuer, shall be the property of the
Obligor. Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing which the
Trustee is required to take notice of or is deemed to have notice of pursuant to
Section 901(h) of the Indenture, the Trustee, as authorized by the Indenture,
shall disburse to or for the benefit of the Obligor out of the Project Fund the
lesser of (a) the Project Costs, or (b) the proceeds of the Bonds deposited in
the Project Fund and investment income in the Project Fund. Such disbursements
shall be made from time to time to pay Project Costs, so long as there are
moneys in the Project Fund, upon presentation of Requisition Certificate(s)
executed by the Obligor and approved for payment in writing by the Bank. The
Trustee may also disburse moneys out of the Project Fund to or for the benefit
of the Issuer upon the Obligor's failure to pay the fees, costs and expenses of
the Trustee or Issuance Costs as required by Section 5.2 hereof.
Disbursements from the Project Fund shall be made upon the Trustee's
receipt of an executed and approved Requisition Certificate.
The Obligor shall also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee
with a Requisition Certificate such other documents and certificates as may be
required by the Bank, it being understood that the Trustee shall have no duty to
review such documents and certificates nor shall it be required to approve same.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Indenture, any moneys
in the Project Fund shall be transferred by the Trustee to the Bond Fund.
Upon request and with reasonable notice, the Obligor shall permit the
Trustee or the Issuer or its authorized agents to audit the records of the
Obligor relating to Project Costs during normal business hours.
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Section 4.2 Obligation of the Obligor to Complete the Project. The Obligor
shall proceed with reasonable dispatch to complete the Project.
The Issuer makes no warranty, either express or implied, and offers no
assurance as to the condition of the Project or that the Project is or will be
suitable for the Obligor's purposes, or that the proceeds derived from the sale
of the Bonds will be sufficient to pay all Project Costs, and the Issuer shall
not be liable to the Obligor if for any reason the Project is not completed. In
the event moneys in the Project Fund are insufficient to pay all Project Costs,
the Obligor will complete the Project and pay the Project Costs in excess of the
sum of moneys available in the Project Fund. By reason of the payment of any
such portion of the Project Costs, the Obligor shall not be entitled to any
reimbursement from the Issuer, the Trustee or the holders of the Bonds in
respect thereof or to any diminution or abatement in the Loan Repayments payable
under the Agreement.
Section 4.3 Completion Certificate. The Obligor shall as promptly as
practicable file with the Trustee, the Issuer and the Bank a certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto when the Project is
complete. All moneys deposited in the Project Fund and not needed, as of the
Completion Date, to pay or reimburse Project Costs (which money shall be used
for such purposes if needed), shall, upon receipt of such certificate, and in
any event on the third anniversary hereof be deemed Surplus Bond Proceeds and
shall be immediately transferred to the Bond Fund to be applied by the Trustee
in the manner provided in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.
Section 4.4 Use of Surplus Bond Proceeds. All moneys transferred to the
Bond Fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3, Section 6.1 and Article VII
hereof ("Surplus Bond Proceeds") shall be applied by the Trustee for redemption
of the Bonds pursuant to mandatory redemption from Surplus Bond Proceeds or
Extraordinary Optional Redemption, as the case may be, as provided in the Bond
Form Appendix to the Indenture or reimbursement of the Bank for honoring a
drawing under the Credit Facility for such purpose, or may be used for any other
purpose approved in writing by the Bank which is permitted by the Act.
In no event shall Surplus Bond Proceeds so transferred to the Bond Fund or
the investment income thereon be used to pay interest on the Bonds.
ARTICLE V
OTHER PECUNIARY OBLIGATIONS OF THE OBLIGOR
Section 5.1 Taxes and Other Costs. The Obligor shall promptly pay, as the
same become due, all lawful taxes and governmental charges of any kind
whatsoever, including without limitation income, profits, receipts, business,
property and excise taxes, with respect to any estate, interest, documentation
or transfer in or of the Project, the Agreement, the Loan or any payments with
respect to the foregoing, the costs of all building and other permits to be
procured, and all utility and other charges and costs incurred in the operation,
maintenance, use and upkeep of the Project. The Obligor shall furnish the Issuer
upon request proof of payment of any such taxes, charges or costs. The Obligor
may in good faith contest, and during such contest not pay, any such taxes,
charges and costs, unless limited by and subject to the restrictions provided in
the Reimbursement Agreement. The parties acknowledge that the Project will be
11
subject to ad valorem taxation unless the appropriate local taxing authorities
(County and City governing bodies) agree that the Project will be exempt in
whole or in part from such taxes.
Section 5.2 Issuer Fees and Expenses. The Obligor shall pay all Issuance
Costs and other reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Issuer
incidental to the performance of its obligations under the Agreement, the
Indenture and with respect to its authorization, sale and delivery of the Bonds,
including without limitation on or before the Effective Date the Issuer's
Issuance Fee, or reasonably incurred by the Issuer in enforcing the provisions
of the Agreement or the Indenture.
Section 5.3 Fees and Expenses of the Trustee and Remarketing Agent. The
Obligor shall pay the reasonable fees, costs and expenses and advances of the
Trustee, and the Remarketing Agent under the Indenture for services rendered in
connection with the Bonds, the duties and services of such Trustee being set out
in the Indenture, and it shall pay the Trustee, in addition, all reasonable
out-of-pocket counsel fees, taxes and other fees, costs and expenses reasonably
incurred by the Trustee in performing its duties as Trustee and in entering into
the Indenture. All such payments shall be made as statements are rendered and
shall be made by the Obligor directly to the Trustee except to the extent fees
and expenses of the Trustee incurred in connection with the issuance of the
Bonds are paid from proceeds of sale of the Bonds.
Section 5.4 Indemnification of the Issuer
(a) The "Indemnified Persons" shall not be liable to the Obligor for
any reason in connection with the issuance of the Bonds. The Obligor shall
indemnify and hold the Issuer and the Indemnified Persons harmless from
any loss, expense (including reasonable counsel fees), or liability of any
nature due to any and all suits, actions, legal or administrative
proceedings, or claims arising or resulting from, or in any way connected
with:
(i) the financing, installation, operation, use, or
maintenance of the Project,
(ii) any act, failure to act, or misrepresentation by any
person, firm, corporation or governmental agency,
including the Issuer, in connection with the issuance,
sale, remarketing or delivery of the Bonds,
(iii) any act, failure to act, or misrepresentation by the
Issuer in connection with this Agreement or any other
document involving the Issuer in this matter, or
(iv) the selection and appointment of firms providing
services to the Bond transaction.
If any suit, action or proceeding is brought against the Issuer or any
Indemnified Person, that action or proceeding shall be defended by counsel to
the Issuer or the Obligor, as the Issuer shall determine. If the defense is by
counsel to the Issuer which is the Attorney General of the State, or may in some
instances be private, retained counsel to the Issuer but which counsel shall not
12
have an existing conflict of interest with the Obligor in undertaking the
representation, the Obligor shall indemnify the Issuer and Indemnified Persons
for the reasonable cost of that defense including reasonable counsel fees. If
the Issuer determines that the Obligor shall defend the Issuer or Indemnified
Person, the Obligor shall immediately assume the defense at its own cost. The
Obligor shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceedings made without
its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
(b) The Obligor shall also indemnify the Issuer for all reasonable
costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred in:
(i) enforcing any obligation of the Obligor under this
Agreement or any related agreement,
(ii) taking any action requested by the Obligor,
(iii) taking action required by this Agreement or any related
agreement, or
(iv) taking any action considered necessary by the Issuer and
which is authorized by this Agreement or any related
agreement.
(c) The obligations of the Obligor under this section shall survive
any assignment or termination of this Agreement.
(d) The Obligor shall not be obligated to indemnify the Issuer or
any Indemnified Person under subsection (a), if a court with competent
jurisdiction finds that the liability in question was caused by the
willful misconduct or sole gross negligence of the Issuer or the involved
Indemnified Person(s), unless the court determines that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case,
the Issuer or the Indemnified Person(s) is (are) fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court considers proper.
Section 5.5 Indemnification of the Trustee. The Obligor shall indemnify
and hold the Trustee harmless against any loss, liability or expense, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, or costs incurred without breach of the required
standard of care set forth in the Indenture arising out of or in connection with
claims or actions taken under or pursuant to the Indenture, including the costs
and expenses of defense including counsel selected by the Trustee against any
such claim or action or liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, the Obligor expressly acknowledges and agrees that the
obligations and liabilities of the Obligor as set forth in this Section 5.5
shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Section 5.6 Insurance. The Obligor shall continuously insure against such
risks and in such amounts as are required under the Reimbursement Agreement.
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ARTICLE VI
PROJECT MAINTENANCE
Section 6.1 Maintenance and Operation. The Obligor, at its expense, shall
maintain the Project in good condition, repair and working order, and shall make
or cause to be made from time to time all necessary repairs, renewals and
replacements, ordinary wear and tear and obsolescence excepted.
Section 6.2 Remodeling and Modifications. The Obligor may remodel or
modify the Project as it, in its discretion, may deem to be desirable for its
uses and purposes. The cost of such remodeling, modifications or improvements
shall be paid by the Obligor.
ARTICLE VII
DAMAGE TO PROJECT AND CONDEMNATION
In the event (i) the Project is damaged or destroyed, or (ii) failure of
title to all or part of the Project occurs or title to or temporary use of the
Project is taken in condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent
domain by any governmental body or by any person, firm or corporation acting
under governmental authority, the Obligor shall promptly give written notice
thereof to the Issuer, the Trustee and, if the Credit Facility is in effect at
the time, the Bank. As soon as practicable the Obligor shall elect in writing to
the Issuer, the Bank and the Trustee, and with the written consent of the Bank
as required by the Reimbursement Agreement (or the Collateral Documents, as
defined in the Reimbursement Agreement), whether to deposit insurance or
condemnation proceeds in the Project Fund or in the Bond Fund. If the Obligor
shall elect to deposit such proceeds in the Project Fund, it shall proceed to
restore the Project with reasonable dispatch, and such moneys shall be disbursed
in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Agreement. If the Obligor shall elect to
deposit such proceeds in the Surplus Bond Proceeds Account in the Bond Fund,
such proceeds shall be used to redeem the Bonds to the extent of such proceeds
in the manner provided in the Indenture and in the Bond Forms Appendix under
Mandatory Redemption from Surplus Bond Proceeds. As long as any of the Bonds are
outstanding, all such funds shall be invested as directed by the Obligor.
ARTICLE VIII
ACTIONS AFFECTING OBLIGOR AND ISSUER INTERESTS IN THE
AGREEMENT AND THE PROJECT
Section 8.1 Assignment of the Agreement. The Issuer shall assign its
rights under and interest in the Agreement (except Reserved Rights) and in all
moneys deposited in the various funds under the Agreement and the Indenture to
the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture as security for payment of the principal
of and interest on the Bonds, and such assignment shall entitle the Trustee to
enforce any obligation of the Obligor under the Agreement. The Obligor hereby
consents to any and all assignments described in the preceding sentence or set
forth in the Indenture. The Issuer shall not amend the Indenture without the
written consent of the Obligor, the Trustee and the Bank, as provided in the
Indenture.
Pursuant to the Act, the assignment of the Issuer's rights and interests
pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall be valid and binding from the time this
assignment is made. The money or
14
property pledged and thereafter received by the Issuer immediately shall be
subject to a lien in favor of the Trustee without a physical delivery, filing,
or any further act. The lien of the Trustee shall be valid or binding as against
parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise, against the
Issuer irrespective of whether the parties have notice. Neither this Agreement,
the Indenture, nor any other instrument by which the assignment is made need be
filed or recorded.
Section 8.2 Obligor's Interest in the Agreement. The Obligor shall not
assign or transfer its rights or obligations under the Agreement, except as
permitted in the Agreement or consented to in writing by the Bank (which consent
shall be governed by the Reimbursement Agreement) and as long as the General
Limitations are complied with.
Section 8.3 Liens by the Obligor. The Obligor shall not create or permit
the creation of any lien, encumbrance or charge upon the Project except
Permitted Encumbrances.
Section 8.4 Security Interest in the Project Fund. To better secure its
obligations hereunder, including the obligation to pay Loan Repayments, as and
when they are due, the Obligor hereby grants a security interest in the moneys
at any time held in the Project Fund, and any proceeds thereof, to the Issuer
and the Bank (to the extent the Trustee is directed to disburse such moneys to
the Bank pursuant to the Indenture) to be perfected by possession of such moneys
in the Project Fund by the Trustee and held therein for the benefit of the
Bondholders and Bank as provided in the Indenture.
Section 8.5 Ownership of Project. The parties acknowledge that the Obligor
leases the real property on which the Project will be located, and that the
Obligor shall own the Project (which may constitute leasehold improvements to
such real property).
ARTICLE IX
FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE OBLIGOR
Section 9.1 Compliance with Laws. The Obligor shall, throughout the term
of the Agreement and at no expense to the Issuer, promptly comply or cause
compliance with all legal requirements of duly constituted public authorities
which are applicable to the Project or to the repair and alteration thereof, or
to the use or manner of use of the Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but
subject to the General Limitations, the Obligor may exercise its rights to
contest the legality of any such legal requirement as applied to the Project
provided that in the opinion of Counsel such contest shall not in any way
materially adversely affect or impair the obligations of the Obligor under the
Agreement.
Section 9.2 Ownership of Project.
(a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing hereunder, the Project may be conveyed and transferred and this
Agreement assigned to a new owner with the prior written consent of the
Issuer and the Bank (which consent shall be governed by the Reimbursement
Agreement), and without the consent of the Trustee or any Bondholder;
provided that (i) the new owner shall be an individual, a partnership,
limited liability company or corporation duly organized and validly
existing in good standing under the laws of any state and, if applicable,
is qualified to do business in
15
Mississippi and shall assume in writing the obligations of the Obligor
under this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby and (ii)
the Obligor shall, at least 30 days prior to any such assignment or
transfer, provide the Issuer and the Trustee with written notice of such
transfer accompanied by a copy of the assumption agreement.
(b) The Obligor shall at all times operate or cause to be operated
the Project in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement so that
it fulfills the public purposes of the Act.
Section 9.3 Access to Project and Records. Subject to reasonable security
and safety regulations and reasonable requirements as to notice, the Issuer, the
Trustee, the Bank and their duly authorized agents shall have the right at all
reasonable times to enter the facility of the Obligor and inspect the Project.
The Issuer, the Trustee, the Bank and their duly authorized agents shall also
have the right to inspect the books and records of the Obligor pertaining to the
Project and the Security (as defined in the Indenture), subject to reasonable
requirements as to notice and during regular business hours.
ARTICLE X
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 10.1 Events of Default. The term "Event of Default" shall mean,
whenever used in the Agreement, any one or more of the following events:
(a) Failure by the Obligor to pay any Loan Repayments in the amounts
and at the times provided in the Agreement, but if and only if the Bank
has, after demand under the Credit Facility, failed to pay the amount of
such Loan Repayment as and when due.
(b) Failure by the Obligor to observe and perform any other
obligations in this Agreement on its part to be observed or performed for
a period of 30 days after written notice specifying such failure and
requesting that it be remedied, given to the Obligor by the Issuer, the
Bank or the Trustee; provided, however, that if such Default shall be such
that it cannot be corrected within such period, it shall not constitute an
Event of Default if correctable without material adverse effect on the
Bonds and if corrective action is instituted by the Obligor within such
period and is diligently pursued until corrected.
(c) Any representation or warranty made by the Obligor in any
document delivered by the Obligor to the initial purchasers, the Trustee,
the Bank or the Issuer in connection with the issuance, sale and delivery
of the Bonds is untrue when made in any material adverse respect.
(d) The occurrence of an Event of Default under the Indenture.
(e) Notice from the Bank of the occurrence of an Event of Default
under the Reimbursement Agreement.
The Events of Default described in subsection (b) above are also subject
to the following limitation: If the Obligor by reason of force majeure is unable
to carry out or observe the obligations described in such subsection (b), the
Obligor shall not be deemed to be in breach or
16
violation of this Agreement during the continuance of such inability. The term
"force majeure" as used herein shall include, without limitation, acts of public
enemies; insurrections; riots; epidemics; landslides; lightning; earthquake;
fire; hurricanes; tornadoes; storms; floods; washouts; droughts; arrests; civil
disturbances; labor disturbances or strikes; explosions; breakage or accident to
machinery, transmission pipes or canals; partial or entire failure of utilities;
or any other cause or event other than financial inability not reasonably within
the control of the Obligor. The Obligor agrees, however, insofar as possible to
remedy with all reasonable dispatch the causes preventing it from carrying out
its agreement; provided, however, that the settlement of strikes, lockouts and
other industrial disturbances shall be entirely within the exercise of the
reasonable discretion of the Obligor.
Section 10.2 Remedies upon Event of Default. Whenever any Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, the Issuer, with the consent of the
Trustee, or the Trustee acting alone, shall have and may exercise any one or
more of the following remedial powers:
(a) If the principal of and interest accrued on the Bonds shall have
been declared immediately due and payable pursuant to the Indenture, to
declare all Loan Repayments payable under Section 3.2 for the remainder of
the term of the Agreement to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the
same shall become immediately due and payable; provided, however, that if
the Trustee shall annul any such declaration pursuant to the Indenture,
the declaration provided for in this clause (a) shall be deemed annulled;
(b) If the principal of and interest accrued on the Bonds shall have
been declared immediately due and payable pursuant to the Indenture, to
institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the
collection of Loan Repayments or other sums due and unpaid under the
Agreement, to prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final
decree, and to enforce any such judgment or final decree and collect in
the manner provided by law any moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable;
(c) In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or
for the reorganization of the Obligor under the Federal bankruptcy laws or
any other applicable law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been
appointed for the property of the Obligor, to file and prove a claim or
claims for the whole amount owing under the Agreement plus interest owing
and unpaid in respect thereof and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to
file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee allowed
in such judicial proceedings relative to the Obligor, its creditors, or
its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property
payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same
after the deduction of its charges and expenses.
In case the Trustee or the Issuer shall have proceeded to exercise or
enforce any right or remedy under the Agreement and such proceeding shall have
been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined
adversely, then and in every such case, the Obligor, the Issuer and the Trustee
shall be restored to its respective rights and positions hereunder and all
rights and remedies of the Obligor, the Issuer and the Trustee shall continue as
though no such proceeding had been taken, but subject to the limitations of any
such adverse determination.
17
Any amounts collected pursuant to action taken under this Section shall be
paid into the Bond Fund and applied in accordance with the Indenture, except
amounts collected pursuant to Article V for the benefit of the Issuer or the
Issuer's Agents, which shall be paid to and retained by the Issuer.
Section 10.3 Payment of Attorneys' Fees and Other Expenses. In the event
the Obligor should default under any of the provisions of the Agreement and the
Issuer and/or the Trustee should employ attorneys or incur other expenses for
the collection of the Loan or for the enforcement of performance or observance
of any obligation of the Obligor in the Agreement or any other document related
to the issuance of and security for the Bonds, the Obligor shall on demand
therefor pay to the Issuer or the Trustee, or both, as the case may be, the
reasonable fees of such attorneys and such other reasonable expenses so
incurred.
Section 10.4 Waivers and Limitation on Waivers. By reason of the
assignment of the Issuer's rights and interest in the Agreement to the Trustee,
the Trustee shall have the power with the consent of the Bank to, and shall if
requested by the Bank, waive or release the Obligor from any Event of Default or
the performance or observance of any obligation or condition of the Obligor
under the Agreement, provided such waiver or release is not prohibited by the
Indenture and the Trustee and the Issuer receive an opinion of Counsel that such
action will not impose any pecuniary obligation or liability or adverse
consequence upon the Issuer or the Trustee and the Issuer and the Trustee shall
have each been provided such indemnification from the Obligor as the Issuer or
the Trustee shall deem necessary, and provided that, with respect to a waiver of
an Event of Default such waiver shall be limited to the particular Event of
Default so waived and shall not be deemed to waive any other Event of Default
hereunder nor a waiver of a similar Event of Default on a future occasion.
No delay or omission to exercise any right occurring upon any Event of
Default shall impair any such right or shall be construed to be a waiver
thereof, but any such right may be exercised from time to time and as often as
may be deemed expedient. In order to exercise any remedy reserved to the Issuer
or the Trustee in this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to give any notice
other than such notice as may be herein expressly required. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Obligor does not waive any
statute of limitations under applicable law.
ARTICLE XI
OBLIGATIONS OF OBLIGOR UNCONDITIONAL
Section 11.1 Obligor Obligations. The obligation of the Obligor to make
Loan Repayments as provided in Article III hereof and the payments required by
Article V hereof and to perform its other covenants hereunder shall be absolute
and unconditional and shall not be subject to any diminution by right of
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or otherwise. During the term hereof, the
Obligor (i) shall not suspend or discontinue its Loan Repayments, (ii) shall
perform and observe all of its other obligations contained herein and (iii)
except as explicitly permitted herein, shall not terminate the Agreement for any
cause including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, defect in
title to the Project, failure to complete the Project, any acts or circumstances
that may constitute failure of consideration, eviction or constructive eviction,
destruction or damage to or condemnation of the Project, commercial frustration
of purpose, any
18
change in the tax or other law by the United States of America or the State or
any political subdivision of either, or any failure of the Issuer to perform and
observe any obligation or condition arising out of or connected with the
Agreement. This shall not be construed to release the Issuer from the
performance of any of its obligations under the Agreement; and in the event the
Issuer shall fail to perform any such obligation, the Obligor may institute such
action against the Issuer as the Obligor may deem necessary to compel
performance; provided, however, that no such action shall violate this Section
or diminish Loan Repayments. The Obligor may at its own cost and expense and in
its own name or in the name of the Issuer, prosecute or defend any action or
proceedings or take any other action involving third persons which the Obligor
deems reasonably necessary in order to secure or protect its rights under the
Agreement, and in such event the Issuer shall cooperate fully with the Obligor.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.1 Amounts Remaining in Funds. Any amounts remaining in the Bond
Fund, the Purchase Fund or the Project Fund upon expiration or sooner
termination of the Agreement as herein provided, after payment in full of the
Bonds (or provision therefor) in accordance with the Indenture, and all other
costs and expenses of the Obligor specified under Article V, and all amounts
owing the Issuer, the Trustee, the Bank, and the Remarketing Agent under the
Agreement, the Indenture and the Reimbursement Agreement, shall be paid to the
Obligor.
Section 12.2 Obligor Bound by Indenture. The Indenture has been submitted
to the Obligor for examination, and the Obligor, by execution of this Agreement,
acknowledges and agrees that it has participated in the drafting of the
Indenture and agrees that it has approved the Indenture and agrees that it is
bound by and shall have the rights set forth by the terms and conditions thereof
and covenants and agrees to perform all obligations required of the Obligor
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
Section 12.3 Consents Under the Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly
provided herein, all consents permitted or required to be given under the
Agreement by the Issuer or the Trustee shall be reasonable and shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Section 12.4 Notices. All notices, certificates or other communications
hereunder shall be sufficiently given and shall be deemed given on the date
shown as delivered when mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, addressed to the Issuer, the Obligor, the Bank, or the
Trustee, as the case may be, at the Issuer's Address, the Obligor's Address, the
Bank's Address, or the Trustee's Address, respectively, or hand delivered to the
above at its respective addresses. A duplicate copy of each such notice,
certificate or other communication given hereunder to the Issuer, the Obligor,
the Bank, or the Trustee shall also be given to the others.
The Issuer, the Obligor, the Bank, and the Trustee may by written notice
to the other parties, designate any further or different addresses to which
subsequent notices, certificates or communications shall be sent.
19
Section 12.5 Amendment. The Agreement may be amended only as provided in
the Indenture, and no amendment to the Agreement shall be binding upon either
party hereto until such amendment is reduced to writing and executed by the
parties hereto.
Section 12.6 Binding Effect. The Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and upon its respective successors and assigns, and the words
"Issuer" and "Obligor" shall include the parties hereto and its respective
successors and assigns and include any gender, singular and plural, any
individuals, partnerships or corporations.
Section 12.7 Severability. If any clause, provision or section of the
Agreement be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or
section shall not affect any of the remaining clauses, provisions or sections.
Section 12.8 Execution in Counterparts. The Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 12.9 Captions and Table of Contents. The captions or headings and
the Table of Contents in the Agreement are for convenience only and in no way
define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any provisions of the
Agreement.
Section 12.10 Applicable Law. The Agreement shall be governed in all
respects, whether as to validity, construction, performance or otherwise, by the
laws of the State.
Section 12.11 Rights of the Bank. Anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, all rights of the Bank to give consents or
approvals, to direct actions or otherwise exercise any rights or authority under
this Agreement, shall be suspended if the Bank wrongfully dishonors a draft
drawn under the Credit Facility, or the Credit Facility is for any reason
unavailable to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Bonds other
than its expiration in accordance with its terms.
[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
20
Loan Agreement
Signature Page
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS FINANCE
CORPORATION
(Issuer)
By:____________________________________
Bill Barry
Its: Executive Director
Attest:
By: ______________________________
Vernon Smith, Secretary
(SEAL)
PRIORITY FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INC.
(Obligor)
By:____________________________________
Its:___________________________________
21
EXHIBIT A
The Project, located at 8474 Market Place, Southaven, Mississippi 38671,
consists of the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment and
fixtures with respect to a logistics and distribution facility leased to the
Obligor. The real estate on which the Project is to be located is leased to the
Obligor.
A-1
EXHIBIT B
REQUISITION CERTIFICATE
TO: U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
FROM: Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc. (the "Obligor")
SUBJECT: $5,000,000 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Variable
Rate Demand Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 (Priority
Fulfillment Services, Inc. Project)
This represents Requisition Certificate No. _______ in the total amount of
$_________ to pay those costs of the Project detailed in the schedule attached.
The undersigned does certify that:
1. The expenditures for which moneys are requisitioned hereby represent
proper charges against the Project Fund of the subject bond issue,
have not been included in a previous requisition and have been
properly recorded on the Obligor's books.
2. The moneys requisitioned hereby are not greater than those necessary
to meet obligations due and payable or to reimburse the Obligor for
its funds actually advanced for Project Costs and do not represent a
reimbursement to the Obligor for working capital.
3. To the best of our knowledge, no Event of Default exists under the
Agreement and nothing has occurred to the knowledge of the Obligor
that would prevent the performance of its obligations under the
Agreement.
4. In the event moneys in the Project Fund after payment of moneys
herein requested are insufficient to pay Project Costs, the Obligor
will pay such additional Project Costs as are incurred from such
other funds which are available for such purpose.
5. All of the property acquired with the moneys hereby requested will
be owned by the Obligor.
6. Delivered herewith are the following requested certificates, sworn
statements, waivers of lien, surveys, invoices, architect's
certificates and other documents:
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given them in the Trust
Indenture for the Bonds.
Executed this ____ day of _______________, 20__.
PRIORITY FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INC.
(Obligor)
By______________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________
APPROVED BY:
COMERICA BANK, as Issuer of the Credit Facility
By______________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________
SCHEDULE TO REQUISITION CERTIFICATE NO. __________
Description of Property or
Payee and Address Services Provided Amount
EXHIBIT C
COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
TO: U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
FROM: Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc. (the "Obligor")
SUBJECT: $5,000,000 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Variable
Rate Demand Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 (Priority
Fulfillment Services, Inc. Project)
The undersigned does hereby certify:
1. The equipping and installation of the Project have been completed in
accordance with the Plans and in such manner as to conform with all
applicable zoning, planning and building regulations of the
governmental authorities having jurisdiction of the Project, as of
the date of this Certificate (the "Completion Date").
2. The Project Costs have been paid in full except for those not yet
due and payable, or which are being contested, which are described
below and for which moneys for payment thereof are being held in the
Project Fund:
(a) Cost of the Project not yet due and payable:
Description Amount
$______________
TOTAL $______________
(b) Payments being contested:
Description Amount
$______________
TOTAL $______________
3. The moneys in the Project Fund in excess of the totals set forth in
2(a) and (b) above represent Surplus Bond Proceeds and the Trustee
is hereby authorized and directed to apply such moneys pursuant to
Section 4.4 of the Agreement.
4. No Event of Default has occurred under the Agreement or the
Reimbursement Agreement nor has any event occurred which with the
giving of notice or lapse of
C-1
time or both shall become such an Event of Default. Nothing has
occurred to the knowledge of the Obligor that would prevent the
performance of its obligations under the Agreement or the
Reimbursement Agreement.
This certificate is given without prejudice to any rights against third
parties which exist at the date hereof or which may subsequently come into
being.
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given them in the Trust
Indenture for the Bonds.
Executed this ____ day of ____________, 200_.
PRIORITY FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INC.
(Obligor)
By______________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________
C-2
EXHIBIT D
NO ACT OF BANKRUPTCY CERTIFICATE
TO: U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
FROM: Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc. (the "Obligor")
SUBJECT: $5,000,000 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Variable
Rate Demand Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 (Priority
Fulfillment Services, Inc. Project)
The undersigned does hereby certify to the Trustee and the Bank that,
during and prior to the period beginning _____________ and continuing until the
date hereof, no Act of Bankruptcy (as defined in that certain Loan Agreement,
dated as of November 1, 2004, between the undersigned and the Mississippi
Business Finance Corporation) shall have occurred.
The Obligor acknowledges that the Trustee and the Bank may conclusively
rely on this Certificate.
Under penalties of perjury, this certificate has been executed this ___
day of _____________, 200_, by the Obligor.
PRIORITY FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INC.
(Obligor)
By______________________________________________
Its:____________________________________________