Exhibit 10.3





Exhibit 10.3




CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT




THIS CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered in to on the 10th day of
May, 2010 by and between Cardinal Ethanol, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (“Owner”) and
LAH Development, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Contractor”).



WHEREAS, Owner is constructing a bushel bin storage system, as outlined in project
specifications dated April 14, 2010 (the “Specifications”) (the “Bin”); and



WHEREAS, Owner wishes to engage Contractor and Contractor wishes to accept such engagement to
provide materials and construction services as provided for in this Agreement.



NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged. The parties
hereby agree as follows:



1. Scope of Work. Contractor agrees to provide all of the material and labor required
to construct the Bin, including but not limited to all electrical work.



2. Date of Commencement and Completion. Commencement of construction of the Bin shall
begin on June 1, 2010 and construction of the Bin shall, be completed no later than October 1,
2010. The “Completion of Construction” shall mean Contractor’s completion of construction of the
Bin in accordance with the Specifications and Owner’s acceptance thereof.



3. Contract Sum. The Owner shall pay to the Contractor one million seven hundred
forty-six thousand dollars ($1,746,000.00) (the “Contract Sum”) for the Contractor’s construction
of the Bin in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Contract Sum shall be equitably
adjusted in accordance with any Change Orders that are required; however, such Change Orders shall
be effective only upon prior written agreement by the Owner and Contractor.




4. Payments. The Contract Sum shall be payable as follows:




	 	a.	 	Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Contract Sum or four hundred thirty-six
thousand five hundred dollars ($436,500.00) shall be due upon execution of this
Agreement.







	 	b.	 	Contractor shall provide an invoice to Owner not later than the Thirtieth (30)
day of each month. The invoice shall indicate the percentage of completion of the
construction of the Bin as of the end of the period covered by the invoice. Owner shall
have fifteen (15) business days to pay the percentage of the Contract Sum equal to the
percentage of completion of construction of the Bin since the previous invoice.







	 	c.	 	The entire Contract Sum shall be paid in full no later than thirty (30) days
after the Completion of Construction.





 


 









 











	 	d.	 	The Owner may adjust or reject an invoice or nullify a previously approved
invoice, in whole or in part, as may reasonably be necessary to protect the Owner from
loss or damage based upon the following:







	 	i.	 	Contractor’s failure to construct the Bin as
required by this Agreement and the Specifications;







	 	ii.	 	loss or damage arising out of or relating to
this Agreement and caused by the Contractor to the Owner, or others to
whom the Owner may be liable;







	 	iii.	 	the Contractor’s failure to pay the
Architect/Engineer or Subcontractors for labor, materials, equipment or
supplies properly furnished in connection with the construction of the
Bin, provided that the Owner is making payments to the Contractor in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement;







	 	iv.	 	defective work not corrected in a timely
fashion; and







	 	v.	 	reasonable evidence demonstrating that the
unpaid balance of the Contract Sum is insufficient to fund the cost to
complete the construction of the Bin.







When the above reasons for disapproving or nullifying an invoice are removed,
payment will be made for the amounts previously withheld.




5.
Construction. Contractor agrees to provide and pay for all necessary
construction supervision, inspection, construction equipment, construction labor,
materials, tools and subcontracted items for the construction of the Bin.



6. Liquidated
Damages for Delay in Completion. Without prejudice to any other right or
remedy, if the Completion of Construction does not occur on or before October 1, 2010, Contractor
shall pay liquidated damages (the “Liquidated Damages”) to the Owner as follows:




	 	a.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before October 1,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner five thousand dollars ($5,000).







	 	b.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before October 8,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner ten thousand dollars ($10,000).







	 	c.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before October 15,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).







	 	d.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before October 22,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).





 


 









 











	 	e.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before October 29,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner forty thousand dollars ($40,000).







	 	f.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before November 5,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000).







	 	g.	 	If the Completion of Construction does not take place on or before November 12,
2010, Contractor shall pay to the Owner sixty thousand dollars ($60,000).







	 	h.	 	If the Completion of Construction is after November 12, 2010, Contractor shall
pay to the Owner seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000).






The Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be due and payable within fifteen (15) business days
following the Completion of Construction.



7. Access
by Owner and Public Authorities. Owner, Owner’s representatives and public
authorities shall at all times have access to the site where the Bin is being constructed.



8. Warranty.
Contractor shall provide all required notices and shall at all times
comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules or regulations. Contractor agrees to
promptly re-execute any construction of the Bin which the Owner determines does not comply with the
Specifications, without any additional charge to Owner. Contractor warrants the construction of the
Bin and agrees to promptly remedy any defects resulting from faulty materials or workmanship which
shall become evident during a period of one (1) year after the completion of the construction of
the Bin without any additional charge to Owner. This Section 8 regarding warranties of the
Contractor shall survive the termination of this Agreement.



9. Delays
in Work Beyond Contractor’s Control. In the event Contractor is delayed in
the construction of the Bin by acts of God, fire, flood or any other unavoidable casualties; or by
labor strikes, late delivery of materials; or by neglect of Owner; the time for completion of the
construction of the Bin shall be extended for the same period as the delay occasioned by any of the
aforementioned causes.



10. Clean-Up.
The Contractor shall keep the premises and area surrounding the Bin free
from accumulation of waste materials or rubbish caused by operations under this Agreement. Upon
completion of the construction of the Bin, the Contractor shall remove all waste materials,
rubbish, the Contractor’s tools, construction equipment machinery and surplus materials.



11. Safety.
The Contractor shall be responsible for initiating, maintaining, and
supervising all safety precautions and programs in connection with the performance of this
Agreement and the construction of the Bin as provided for herein.




 


 









 



12. Termination or Suspension of the Agreement.




	 	a.	 	Suspension by the Owner for Convenience.









	 	i.	 	The Owner may order the Contractor, in writing, to
suspend, delay or interrupt all or any part of the construction of the Bin
without cause for such period of time as the Owner may determine to be
appropriate for its convenience.







	 	ii.	 	Adjustments caused by suspension, delay or interruption
shall be made for increases in the Contract Sum and/or the date of
completion. No adjustment shall be made if the Contractor is or otherwise
would have been responsible for the suspension, delay or interruption of
the construction of the Bin, or if another provision of this Agreement is
applied to render an equitable adjustment.







	 	b.	 	Owner’s Right to Perform Contractor’s Obligations and Termination by the Owner
for Cause.







	 	i.	 	If the Contractor persistently fails to perform any of
its obligations under this Agreement, the Owner may, after five (5) days’
written notice, during which period the Contractor fails to perform such
obligation, undertake to perform such obligations. The Contract Sum shall
be reduced by the cost to the Owner of performing such obligations.







	 	ii.	 	Upon five (5) days’ written notice to the Contractor
and the Contractor’s surety, if any, the Owner may terminate this Agreement
for any of the following reasons:







	 	1.	 	if the Contractor utilizes
improper materials and/or inadequately skilled workers;







	 	2.	 	if the Contractor does not make
proper payment to laborers, material suppliers or contractors
provided that the Owner is making payments to the Contractor in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement;







	 	3.	 	if the Contractor fails to abide
by the orders, regulations, rules, ordinances or laws of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction; or







	 	4.	 	if the Contractor otherwise
materially breaches this Agreement.







	 	iii.	 	If the Contractor fails to cure or commence and
continue to cure within the five (5) days, the Owner, without prejudice to
any other right or remedy, may take possession of the worksite and complete
the construction of the Bin utilizing any reasonable means. In this event,
the Contractor shall not have a right to further payment until the
Completion of Construction.





 


 









 











	 	iv.	 	If the Contractor files a petition under the Bankruptcy
Code, this Agreement shall terminate if the Contractor or the Contractor’s
trustee rejects the Agreement or, if there has been a default, the
Contractor is unable to give adequate assurance that the Contractor will
perform as required by this Agreement or otherwise is unable to comply with
the requirements for assuming this Agreement under the applicable
provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.







	 	c.	 	Termination by Owner Without Cause. If the Owner terminates this Agreement other
than as set forth in Section 12(b) herein, the Owner shall pay the Contractor for all
completed construction work on the Bin and for all proven loss, cost or expense in
connection with the construction of the Bin and the Contractor shall have no other
remedy, including but not limited to incidental or consequential damages, against the
Owner.






13. Insurance.
Contractor agrees to obtain and maintain insurance coverage to protect
itself against claims for workers’ compensation, unemployment, property damage, bodily injury or
death due to its performance of this Agreement. Contractor shall purchase and maintain commercial
general liability insurance with combined single limits of not less than one million dollars
($1,000,000) which shall be endorsed to require at least thirty (30) days notice to Owner prior to
the effective date of any termination or cancellation of coverage. Contractor shall provide a
certificate of insurance to Owner to establish the coverage maintained before commencement of the
construction of the Bin. Also, during the term of this Agreement, Contractor shall purchase and
maintain comprehensive automobile liability insurance, with combined single limits of not less than
one million dollars ($1,000,000), which shall be endorsed to require at least thirty (30) days
notice to Owner prior to the effective date of any termination or cancellation of coverage.
Contractor shall provide a certificate of insurance to Owner to establish coverage maintained
before the commencement of the construction of the Bin.



14. Indemnity.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall defend,
indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Owner’s officers, directors, members, consultants, agents
and employees from all claims for bodily injury and property damage that may arise from the
performance of this Agreement. The Contractor shall not be required to defend, indemnify or hold
harmless the Owner, the Owner’s officers, directors, members, consultants, agents and employees for
any acts, omissions or negligence of the Owner, Owner’s officers, directors, members, consultants,
employees, agents or separate contractors. This Section 14 regarding indemnity shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.



15. Attorney’s
Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce or otherwise
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to have its
attorney’s fees paid by the non-prevailing party.



16. Time
of the Essence. Time is of the essence in completion of this Agreement and
construction of the Bin as provided for herein.


 


 









 





17. Miscellaneous. This Agreement, together with any exhibits and attachments hereto
and any documents incorporated herein, constitutes the entire understanding between the parties
concerning the subject matter hereof No prior or contemporaneous representations, inducements,
promises or agreements not contained herein are of any force or effect. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with Indiana law, and shall not be modified except in a
writing signed by all parties. This Agreement is binding upon the parties and their heirs,
representatives, agents, successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any parties’
rights, duties, responsibilities or obligations shall be assigned by either party, in whole or in
part, without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. If any provision herein is held
to be invalid, unenforceable, or contrary to public policy, in whole or in part, the remaining
provisions shall not be affected. No omission or delay by either party in enforcing any right or
remedy or in requiring any performance hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right,
remedy or required performance, nor shall it affect the right of either party to enforce such
provision thereafter. The remedies set forth herein are cumulative and in addition to all other
remedies available hereunder, at law and in equity. The headings contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not be considered in interpreting or construing this Agreement. All
covenants, warranties, representations and indemnification obligations set forth in this Agreement
shall survive the termination or expiration hereof This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
and facsimile signatures shall be binding upon the parties.



[Signature Page to Follow]




 


 









 







IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Cardinal Ethanol, LLC	 	 	 	LAH Development, LLC	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Jeffrey L. Painter
 

Its: CEO/President
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Sy Hart
 

Its:
 

	 	 
	 

	 	5/11/2010	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 






 


 









 





Cardinal Ethanol, LLC

Grain Bin Project Specifications

April 2, 2010




General Specifications:



Design and Engineering





	 	•	 	Nu Way to supply design drawings

	 
	 	•	 	Finish design will be approved by owner (Cardinal Ethanol, LLC) prior to start of
project






Excavation and Concrete





	 	•	 	Excavate for bin footer and walls (dirt left on property)

	 
	 	•	 	13′ x 2′5′′ footer

	 
	 	•	 	10′ high x 18′′ wide exterior wall

	 
	 	•	 	8′ x 8′ access tunnel

	 
	 	•	 	Quad “F” aeration floor

	 
	 	•	 	Stone and compaction

	 
	 	•	 	Required concrete and rebar






105′ x 34 Ring System





	 	•	 	90′ — 10′′ Eave height; 119′ — 10′′ peak height

	 
	 	•	 	730,245 bushel capacity

	 
	 	•	 	25,000 LB. peak load roof

	 
	 	•	 	2 ring commercial walk in door

	 
	 	•	 	Inside and outside ladder system

	 
	 	•	 	Roof stairs

	 
	 	•	 	10′ peak walk around

	 
	 	•	 	16′ center discharge with electric gate

	 
	 	•	 	(10) 12′′ intermediate manual gates

	 
	 	•	 	1/10 CFM/BU Quad “F” aeration monorail flush floor system

	 
	 	•	 	(4) 30 hp. 3 ph 230/460 V centrifugal fans

	 
	 	•	 	(45) grill vents

	 
	 	•	 	(10) 24′′ exhausters, 2 hp, 3 ph explosion proof fans

	 
	 	•	 	(24) temperature cable supports

	 
	 	•	 	10K BPH series 2 bin sweep (Zero Entry, One Pass sweep)





 


 









 










Top Fill System





	 	•	 	6′ wide x 125′ handrail truss catwalk w24′′ grip strut walkway on one side







	 	•	 	(1) 4 legged support tower







	 	•	 	(1) 2 legged support tower tied to bin







	 	•	 	Support structure at bin top







	 	•	 	40,000 BPH GSI En-Masse conveyor







	 	•	 	(2) 50 hp, 3 ph TEFC Motors







	 	•	 	Duel TA9415 Dodge Reducers







	 	•	 	3/16′′ AR Bolt on bottom







	 	•	 	10 ga. AR side liner







	 	•	 	Lined head discharge







	 	•	 	Slack chain detection with limit switch







	 	•	 	End relief door with limit switch







	 	•	 	Transition from new conveyor to new bin







	 	•	 	Agri dry spreader system as per request






Unloading System





	 	•	 	10,000 BPH GSI En-Masse Conveyor







	 	•	 	30hp, 3 ph TEFC motor

	 
	 	•	 	3/16′′ AR bolt on bottom

	 
	 	•	 	10 ga. AR side liner

	 
	 	•	 	Lined head discharge

	 
	 	•	 	Slack chain detection with limit switch

	 
	 	•	 	End relief door with limit switch







	 	•	 	(11) Inlet transitions

	 
	 	•	 	Lined transition from new conveyor to the existing conveyor






Wireless Temperature Detection System





	 	•	 	(24) Detection cables with hardware

	 
	 	•	 	PCI interface with software

	 
	 	•	 	Control wire

	 
	 	•	 	Remote Multiplexer

	 
	 	•	 	Point to point wireless radio

	 
	 	•	 	Thermocouple lead wires

	 
	 	•	 	Operation Manual





 


 









 










Notes:

All new steel will be primed painted

Job site will be maintained in a clean and professional manner at all times

All OSHA safety rules will be met or exceeded




	 	 	 	 	 
	PROJECT COST
	 	$	1,490,000	 






Option:





	 	•	 	40,000 GSI Enclosed Belt conveyor







	 	•	 	90 ft. c/c

	 
	 	•	 	40 hp drive system

	 
	 	•	 	5 deg. Incline

	 
	 	•	 	1/2′′ UHMW bottom liner

	 
	 	•	 	Plug switch

	 
	 	•	 	Shaft monitor






	 	 	 	 	 
	DEDUCT
	 	$	30,000	 






 


 









 





Cardinal Ethanol, LLC

Grain Bin Project Specifications

April 14, 2010




Revisions
to Grain 3 in quote of April 2, 2010:





	 	•	 	Extending the existing bottom unload drag

	 
	 	•	 	Revising the tunnel height to 6′ — 6′′







	 	•	 	Extending existing top fill drag with new platform (10′ long with 12′x12′ platform)
Support system from new tower and ladder access to new top catwalk







	 	•	 	Two (2) 4 legged support towers







	 	•	 	Price increases of equipment.







	 	•	 	Motion detection equipment, rub sensors and other applicable safety equipment as
required







	 	•	 	Bin Bob level indicator and high level indicator included in pricing.






	 	 	 	 	 
	Revised Price
	 	$	1,561,000	 






Electrical





	 	•	 	Furnish all material, equipment, labor, evaluation/study, etc. that is necessary to
complete the project.






	 	 	 	 	 
	Electrical Cost
	 	$	185,000	 






	 	 	 	 	 
	Total revised complete project cost
	 	$	1,746,000