Document:

Exhibit 10.1

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 3, 2017 is entered into by and between LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC, Nevada, Iowa, a limited liability company (the “Borrower”), and FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA and FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, PCA (collectively, “Lender”).

 

RECITALS

 

(A)          The Borrower and Lender are parties to that certain Master Loan Agreement dated as of August 21, 2012 (as amended, the “Existing Agreement”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Existing Agreement, the parties entered into one or more Supplement(s) and/or Promissory Note(s) and Supplement(s) thereunder (the “Existing Promissory Note(s) and Supplement(s)”).  The Borrower and Lender now desire to amend and restate the Existing Agreement and to apply this Agreement to the Existing Promissory Note(s) and Supplement(s), as well as any new Promissory Note(s) that may be issued hereunder.  For that reason and for valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the Borrower and Lender hereby agree that the Existing Agreement will be amended and restated by this Agreement.

 

In consideration of the agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and Lender agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1          Defined Terms; Accounting Principles.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement bear the definitions given to them in this Agreement.  References to accounting standards are to United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied (the “Accounting Standards”).

 

ARTICLE 2           The Facilities.

 

2.1          Promissory Note.  In the event the Borrower desires to borrow from Lender and Lender is willing to lend to the Borrower, or in the event the parties desire to consolidate any existing loans hereunder, the parties will enter into a promissory note (a “Promissory Note”).  Each Promissory Note will set forth Lender’s commitment to make a loan or loans to the Borrower, the amount of the loan(s), the purpose of the loan(s), the interest rate or rate options applicable to the loan(s), the repayment terms of the loan(s), and any other terms and conditions applicable to the particular loan(s).  Each Promissory Note will also contain the Borrower’s promise to make payments of interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loan(s), and fees and premiums, if any, and to repay the principal balance of the loan(s).  Each loan will be governed by the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Promissory Note relating to that loan.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

2.2          Sale of Participation Interests and Appointment of Administrative Agent.  The Borrower acknowledges that concurrent with the execution of this Credit Agreement and related Promissory Note(s), Lender is selling a participation interest in this Credit Agreement and each Promissory Note to CoBank, FCB, an affiliate of CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”).  Pursuant to an Administrative Agency Agreement and Intercreditor Agreement dated of even date herewith (“Agency Agreement”), Lender has appointed CoBank as Administrative Agent (“Agent”) in place of Lender hereunder and under each Promissory Note and any security documents to be executed hereunder.  All funds to be advanced hereunder shall be advanced by Agent, all repayments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to Agent, and all notices to be made to Lender hereunder shall be made to Agent.  Agent shall be solely responsible for the administration of this Agreement, each Promissory Note and the security documents to be executed by the Borrower hereunder and the enforcement of all rights and remedies of Lender hereunder and thereunder.  The Borrower acknowledges the appointment of Agent and consents to such appointment.

 

2.3          Availability.  Loans will be made available on any day on which Agent and the Federal Reserve Banks are open for business (a “Business Day”) upon the telephonic or written request of an authorized employee of the Borrower.  Requests for loans must be received by 12:00 p.m. Denver, Colorado time on the date the loan is desired.  Loans will be made available by wire transfer of immediately available funds.  Wire transfers will be made to such account or accounts as may be authorized by the Borrower.

 

2.4          Security.  The Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, each Promissory Note, and each interest rate swap, hedge, cap, collar, forward fix or similar agreement, including any master agreement published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc., between the Borrower and Lender and/or CoBank, designed to protect the Borrower from fluctuations in interest rates (the “Interest Rate Agreement”) will be secured by a statutory first lien on all equity that the Borrower may now own or hereafter acquire or be allocated in Lender (including Lender’s parent company, as applicable) and/or CoBank.  In addition, except as otherwise provided in a Promissory Note or in a closing instruction letter signed by the parties (an “Instruction Letter”), the Borrower’s obligations hereunder and under each Promissory Note will be:

 

(a)           secured by a first priority lien (subject only to exceptions approved in writing by Agent) on all real and personal property of the Borrower, whether now existing or hereafter acquired.  The Borrower agrees to take such steps, including, without limitation, the execution and recordation or filing, as applicable, of mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, intercreditor or parity agreements, pledge agreements, control agreements, financing statements, and amendments to any of the foregoing, and such other instruments and documents as Agent may require to enable Agent to obtain, perfect, and maintain a lien on such property, and the payment of any applicable mortgage recording, documentary stamp, or intangible taxes; and

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

(b)           guaranteed by an unsecured or secured, limited or continuing guarantee of payment, in form and substance and from such parties as may be required by Agent from time to time.  If Agent requires such guarantee(s) to be secured by lien on the real and/or personal property of a guarantor (a “Guarantor”), Borrower will cause each Guarantor to take such steps, including, without limitation, the execution and recordation or filing, as applicable, of mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, pledge agreements, control agreements, financing statements, and amendments to any of the foregoing, and such other instruments and documents as Agent may require to enable Agent to obtain, perfect, and maintain a lien on such property, and the payment of any applicable mortgage recording, documentary stamp, or intangible taxes.

 

(c)           In addition, the Borrower agrees, as may be required by Agent from time to time, to provide to Agent ALTA lender’s policies of title insurance in face amounts and from title companies acceptable to Agent insuring the lien under any mortgage or deed of trust granted by the Borrower or any Guarantor to Agent and Lender.  The Borrower agrees to pay the cost of such title policies, together with such endorsements as may be reasonably requested by Agent.

 

2.5          Payments Generally.  The Borrower’s obligation to repay each loan will be evidenced by a Promissory Note.  Agent will maintain a record of all loans, the interest accrued thereon, and all payments made with respect thereto, and such record will, absent proof of manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the outstanding principal and interest on the loans.  Payments under each Promissory Note will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds, by check, or by automated clearing house (ACH) or other similar cash handling processes as specified by separate agreement between the Borrower and Agent.  Wire transfers will be made to ABA No. 307088754 for advice to and credit of “CoBANK” (or to such other account as Agent may direct by notice).  The Borrower will give Agent telephonic notice no later than 12:00 p.m. Denver, Colorado time on the day the Borrower intends to pay by wire of such intent, and funds received after 3:00 p.m. Denver, Colorado time will be credited on the next Business Day.  Checks will be mailed to CoBANK, Department 167, Denver, Colorado 80291-0167 (or to such other place as Agent may direct by notice).  Credit for payment by check will not be given until the later of the next Business Day after receipt of the check or the day on which Agent receives immediately available funds.  If any installment of principal or interest is due on a date that is not a Business Day, then such installment will be due and payable on the next Business Day.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

2.6          Broken Funding Surcharge.  Notwithstanding the terms of any Promissory Note giving the Borrower the right to repay any loan prior to the date it would otherwise be due and payable, the Borrower agrees to provide three Business Days’ prior written notice for any prepayment of a fixed rate balance and to pay to Agent a broken funding surcharge in the amount set forth below in the event the Borrower: (a) repays any fixed rate balance prior to the last day of its fixed rate period (whether such payment is made voluntarily, as a result of an acceleration, or otherwise); (b) converts any fixed rate balance to another fixed rate or to a variable rate prior to the last day of the fixed rate period applicable to such balance; or (c) fails to borrow any fixed rate balance on the date scheduled therefor.  The surcharge will be in an amount equal to the greater of (1) the present value of any funding losses imputed by Lender and/or Agent to have been incurred as a result of such payment, conversion or failure or (2) $300.00.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any fixed rate balance is repaid as a result of the Borrower refinancing the loan with another lender or by other means, then in lieu of the foregoing, the Borrower will pay to Agent a surcharge in an amount sufficient (on a present value basis) to enable Lender and/or Agent to maintain the yield it would have earned during the fixed rate period on the amount repaid.  Any surcharge will be determined and calculated in accordance with methodology established by Lender and Agent, copies of which will be made available upon request.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this section and of the broken funding charge section of a forward fix agreement between Agent and the Borrower, the provisions of the forward fix agreement will control.

 

2.7          Taxes; Change in Law.  Any payment by the Borrower to Agent will be made net of any taxes (other than income and similar taxes imposed on or measured by Lender’s and/or Agent’s overall net income).  If any change in any law, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order or the like to which the Borrower is subject, including, without limitation, all laws relating to environmental protection, and taxes (collectively, “Laws”), increases the cost of making or maintaining any loan (or any associated commitment to lend), or reduces the amount received or receivable by Agent hereunder then, upon request, the Borrower will pay to Agent such additional amount as will compensate Lender and/or Agent for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

ARTICLE 3           Conditions Precedent.

 

3.1          Conditions to Initial Promissory Note.  Lender’s obligation to extend credit under the initial Promissory Note hereunder is subject to the condition precedent that Agent receive, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, each of the following:

 

(a)           This Agreement.  A duly executed copy of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents (as defined below), the Instruction Letter accompanying this Agreement, and all instruments and documents contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(b)           Banking Service Agreements.  A duly completed and executed copy of any banking service agreement, including any agreement relating to the provision by CoBank of cash management services, required by Agent from time to time.  Agent will be entitled to rely on (and will incur no liability to the Borrower in acting on) any request or direction furnished in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

3.2          Conditions to Each Promissory Note.  Lender’s obligations to extend credit under each Promissory Note hereunder, including the initial Promissory Note, is subject to the condition precedent that Agent receive, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, each of the following:

 

(a)           Promissory Note.  A duly executed copy of the Promissory Note and all instruments and documents contemplated by the Promissory Note.

 

(b)           Instruction Letter.  Any and all items or requirements detailed in an Instruction Letter.

 

(c)           Evidence of Perfection.  Such evidence as Agent may require that it has duly perfected liens as required under this Agreement.

 

(d)           Evidence of Authority.  Such certified board resolutions, certificates of incumbency, and other evidence that Agent may require that the Promissory Note, all instruments and documents executed in connection therewith, and, in the case of the initial Promissory Note hereto, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents (as defined below) and all instruments and documents executed in connection herewith and therewith, including any security documents, have been duly authorized and executed.

 

(e)           Fees and Other Charges.  Any fees or other charges provided for herein, in the Promissory Note or in any invoice provided by Agent.

 

(f)            Insurance.  Such evidence as Agent may require that the Borrower is in compliance with Section 5.4 below.

 

3.3          Conditions to Each Loan.  Lender’s obligation under each Promissory Note to make any loan to the Borrower thereunder is subject to the condition that no “Event of Default” (as defined in Section 8.1 below) or event that, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time and/or the occurrence of any other condition, would ripen into an Event of Default (a “Potential Default”) will have occurred and be continuing or would be caused by the making of such loan.

 

ARTICLE 4          Representations and Warranties.  The execution by the Borrower of this Agreement and each Promissory Note hereunder, or any renewal or extension by Agent on behalf of Lender of any Promissory Note hereunder, will constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that:

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

4.1          Instruction Letter; Loan Documents.  Each representation and warranty and all information set forth in any Instruction Letter and/or any of the Loan Documents (as defined below) and/or any other document submitted in connection with, or to induce Lender to enter into, such Promissory Note is correct in all material respects as of the date of such Promissory Note.

 

4.2          Compliance; Legal Proceedings.  Each Loan Party (as defined below) and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) and all property owned or leased or proposed to be acquired with the proceeds of any Promissory Note hereunder by each Loan Party and/or its Subsidiaries and all of its/their operations are in compliance with all applicable Laws and the terms of the Loan Documents and no Event of Default or Potential Default exists or is continuing.  In addition, there are no pending legal, arbitration, or governmental actions or proceedings to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is a party or to which any of its or any Subsidiaries’ property is subject which, if adversely determined, might have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operations, properties, profits, or business of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and to the best of each Loan Party’s knowledge, no such actions or proceedings are threatened or contemplated.  “Loan Party” means the Borrower and any Guarantor.

 

4.3          Organization; Good Standing.  Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (b) has the lawful power to own or lease its properties and to engage in the business it conducts or proposes to conduct, and (c) is duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the property owned or leased by it or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such qualification necessary.

 

4.4          Binding Agreement.  The Loan Documents constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of each Loan Party that are enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

4.5          Conflicting Agreements.  Neither this Agreement nor any Promissory Note, Interest Rate Agreement, or other instrument or document securing or otherwise relating hereto or to any Promissory Note (each a “Loan Document” and collectively, at any time, the “Loan Documents”) conflicts with, or constitutes (with or without the giving of notice and/or the passage of time and/or the occurrence of any other condition) a default under, any other agreement to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or affected, and does not conflict with any provision of its bylaws, articles of incorporation or other organizational documents.

 

4.6          Consents and Approvals.  No consent, permission, authorization, order or license of any governmental authority or of any party to any agreement to which each Loan Party is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or affected, is necessary in connection with the project, acquisition or other activity being financed by such Promissory Note, or the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any Loan Document, except as have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

4.7          Budgets; Full Disclosure.  All budgets, projections, feasibility studies, and other documentation submitted by the Borrower or its Affiliates (as defined below) to Agent in connection with, or to induce Lender to enter into, such Promissory Note are based upon assumptions that are reasonable and realistic, and as of the date of such Promissory Note, no fact has come to light, and no event has occurred, that would cause any assumption made therein to not be reasonable or realistic.  No Loan Document or other certificate, statement, agreement, or document furnished to Agent in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (a) contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or (b) fails to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Borrower is not aware of any Material Adverse Change that has not been disclosed in writing to Agent.  “Affiliate” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint stock company, estate, entity or governmental agency, (1) that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Borrower, (2) that beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of any class of the voting or other equity interests of the Borrower, or (3) 5% or more of any class of voting interests or other equity interests of which is beneficially owned or held, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower.  A “Material Adverse Change” means any material adverse change, as reasonably determined by Agent, in the condition, financial or otherwise, operations, business, liabilities (actual or contingent) or properties of a Loan Party or Subsidiary or in its ability to perform its obligations hereunder, under any security instrument or document, or under any other Loan Document.

 

4.8          Accurate Financial Information.  Each submission of financial information or documents relating to a Loan Party will constitute a representation and warranty by the Loan Party that such information and documents (a) are true and accurate in all material respects, and (b) do not fail to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (c) have been reviewed by a Principal Financial Officer of the Borrower or, as applicable, the relevant Loan Party.  As used herein, the term “Principal Financial Officer” means an officer of the applicable Loan Party responsible for overseeing the financial activities of the Loan Party.

 

4.9          ERISA.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder from time to time (“ERISA”).

 

4.10        Margin Stock.  No Loan Party is engaged or intends to engage principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America (the “Board”)).  No part of the proceeds of any loan made by Lender to the Borrower has been or will be used, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock or in any way that is inconsistent with the provisions of the regulations of the Board.  No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party holds or intends to hold margin stock in such amounts that more than 25% of the reasonable value of the assets of any Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party are or will be represented by margin stock.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

ARTICLE 5          Affirmative Covenants.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Agent, while this Agreement is in effect, the Borrower agrees to, and with respect to Sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, and 5.8, agrees to cause each subsidiary, if any, listed on SCHEDULE 5.0 attached hereto (singularly a “Subsidiary”, and collectively the “Subsidiaries”) to:

 

5.1          Reports and Notices.  Furnish to Agent:

 

(a)           Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available, but in no event more than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower occurring during the term hereof, annual consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards.  Such financial statements will: (1) be audited by independent certified public accountants selected by the Borrower and acceptable to Agent; (2) be accompanied by a report of such accountants containing an opinion thereon acceptable to Agent; (3) be prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form; and (4) include a balance sheet, a statement of income, a statement of retained earnings, a statement of cash flows, and all notes and schedules relating thereto.

 

(b)           Interim Financial Statements.  As soon as available, but in no event more than 30 days after the end of each month, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as of the end of such month, a consolidated statement of income for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for such period and for the period year to date, and such other interim statements as Agent may specifically request, all prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form in accordance with the Accounting Standards; and, if required by written notice from Agent, certified by a Principal Financial Officer of the Borrower.

 

(c)           Notice of Default.  Promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Default, including, without limitation, any error in the Borrower’s financial information previously provided to Agent and the occurrence of any breach, default, event of default or event that, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time and/or the occurrence of any other condition, would become a breach, default or event of default under any loan agreement, indenture, mortgage, or other credit or security agreement or instrument to which a Loan Party is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or affected.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

(d)           Notice of Litigation, Environmental Matters, Etc.  Promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of: (1) the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding before any court, arbitrator or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality having jurisdiction over any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, that, if adversely decided, could result in a Material Adverse Change; (2) the receipt of any notice, indictment, pleading or other communication alleging a condition that may require any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to undertake or to contribute to a clean-up or other response under any environmental Law, or that seeks penalties, damages, injunctive relief, criminal sanctions or other relief as a result of an alleged violation of any such Law, or that claims personal injury or property damage as a result of environmental factors or conditions; and (3) any matter that could have a material adverse effect on the Borrower, including any decision of any regulatory authority or commission.

 

(e)           Notice of Certain Events.  (1) Notice at least 30 days prior thereto, of any change in the Borrower’s name or corporate structure; (2) notice at least 30 days prior thereto, of any change in the Borrower’s organizational documents, which changes must be approved in writing by Agent in its reasonable discretion; (3) notice at least 30 days prior thereto, of any change in the principal place of business of the Borrower or the office where its records concerning its accounts are kept; and (4) as soon as available after any changes thereto, copies of the Borrower’s organizational documents or membership and marketing agreements (or similar documents), in each case certified by the Borrower’s Secretary or equivalent officer acceptable to Agent.

 

(f)            Compliance Certificates.  Together with each set of financial statements furnished to Agent pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and Section 5.1(b) above, as applicable, a certificate of a Principal Financial Officer of the Borrower, in form and content acceptable to Agent: (1) certifying that no Event of Default or Potential Default occurred during the period covered by such statement(s) or, if an Event of Default or Potential Default occurred, a description thereof and of all actions taken or to be taken to remedy same; and (2) setting forth calculations showing compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article 7 below.

 

5.2          Instruction Letter.  Comply with any and all requirements detailed in an Instruction Letter.

 

5.3          Corporate Existence, Etc.  Preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, qualify and remain qualified to transact business in all jurisdictions where such qualification is required, and obtain and maintain all licenses, certificates, permits, authorizations, approvals, and the like that are material to the conduct of its business or required by any Law.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

5.4          Insurance.  Maintain insurance with reputable and financially sound insurance companies or associations, including self-insurance to the extent customary, acceptable to Agent in such amounts and covering such risks as are usually carried by companies engaged in the same or similar business and similarly situated, and make such increases in the type or amount of coverage as Agent may reasonably request.  All such policies insuring any collateral for the Borrower’s obligations to Lender and Agent will have additional insured, mortgagee and lender’s loss payee clauses or endorsements, as applicable, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.  At Agent’s request, the Borrower agrees to deliver to Agent such proof of compliance with this section as Agent may require.

 

5.5          Property Maintenance.  Maintain in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of other businesses of similar character and size, all of those properties useful or necessary to its business, and make all alterations, replacements, and improvements thereto as may from time to time be necessary in order to ensure that its properties remain in good working order and condition.  The Borrower agrees that at Agent’s request, which request may not be made more than once a year, the Borrower will furnish to Agent a report on the condition of the Borrower’s property prepared by a professional engineer satisfactory to Agent.

 

5.6          Inspection.  Permit Agent or its agents, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours or at such other times as the parties may agree, to inspect and visit any of its properties, examine and make excerpts from its books and records, and to discuss its business affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, directors, employees, and independent certified public accountants and to conduct reviews of any collateral.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower will permit Agent, through an employee of Agent or through an independent third party contracted by Agent, to conduct on an annual basis a review of the collateral covered by any security instruments or documents provided to Agent pursuant to this Agreement.  The Borrower further agrees to pay to Agent a collateral inspection fee designated by Agent and reimburse Agent all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent in connection with such collateral inspection reviews performed by Agent employees or its agents.

 

5.7          Books and Records.  Maintain and keep proper books and records of account in which full, true and correct entries of all its dealings, business and financial affairs will be made in accordance with the Accounting Standards.

 

5.8          Compliance With Laws.  Comply in all material respects with all Laws and any patron or member investment program applicable to the Borrower.  In addition, the Borrower agrees to cause all persons occupying or present on any of its properties, and to cause each Subsidiary to cause all persons occupying or present on any of its properties, to comply in all material respects with all Laws relating to such properties.

 

5.9          Further Assurances and Other Information.  From time to time and at its expense, execute and deliver such documents and do such other acts and things as Agent in its sole discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to more fully carry out the provisions and purpose of the Loan Documents, including delivery of such other information regarding the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of a Loan Party or Subsidiary as Agent may from time to time reasonably request, including, but not limited to, copies of all pleadings, notices and communications referred to in Section 5.1(d) above.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

5.10        Capital.  Maintain its status as an entity eligible to borrow from Lender.  The Borrower has purchased voting (Class D) or non-voting (Class E) stock in Farm Credit Services of America, ACA as required under the policy of Lender (currently a minimum of $1,000.00 worth of stock consisting of at least 200 shares of $5.00 par value stock).  Lender policy may change from time to time.  Lender shall have a first lien on the stock for payment of any liability of the Borrower to Lender.  Said stock is owned as follows:

 

Owner Name:  Lincolnway Energy, LLC          SSN/TIN: 20-1118105

The Borrower authorizes and appoints the following to act on behalf of all owners, to vote the Class D stock, and to accept, receive and receipt for any dividends declared on the stock, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties:

 

Jeff Taylor, Board President, voter

 

5.11        Delivery of Original Loan Documents.  If executed copies of any Loan Documents are delivered to Agent as provided in Article 3 above, immediately deliver to Agent the original executed versions of such Loan Documents.

 

5.12        Indemnity for Taxes.  At all times indemnify and hold and save Lender and Agent harmless from and against any and all actions or causes of action, claims, demands, liabilities, loss, damage or expense of whatsoever kind and nature incurred by Lender and/or Agent as a result of the non-payment of any documentary stamp tax, intangible tax, interest or penalties associated therewith or any other local, state or federal assessment required to be paid, but not paid in conjunction with the indebtedness evidenced by the Loan Documents.  The Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, its successors and assigns, all sums of money requested by Agent hereunder within ten days of such request, which Lender and/or Agent will or may advance, pay or cause to be paid, or become liable to pay, on account of or in connection with failure to pay as required by the regulations of the governmental authority so imposing said payment.  Agent will be entitled to charge for any and all disbursements made by it in good faith, under the reasonable belief that it or the Borrower is or was liable for the amount so assessed.  Any default by the Borrower in making any payments required under this covenant will constitute a payment Event of Default under the Loan Documents and Agent may, at its option, declare the entire amount of principal plus accrued interest thereon due and payable without notice or demand.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

5.13        ERISA.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for so long as this Agreement remains outstanding, will remain in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the failure to comply with which has or may have a material adverse effect on the Borrower.

 

ARTICLE 6           Negative Covenants.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Agent, while this Agreement is in effect, the Borrower will not:

 

6.1          Other Indebtedness.  Create, incur, assume or allow to exist, directly or indirectly, any indebtedness or liability for borrowed money (including trade or bankers’ acceptances), letters of credit, or for the deferred purchase price of property or services (including leases that should be capitalized on the books of the lessee in accordance with the Accounting Standards), except for:

 

(a)           debt to Lender and/or CoBank.

 

(b)           accounts payable to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

(c)           current operating liabilities (other than for borrowed money) incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

(d)           capitalized leases with Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation.

 

(e)           debt of the Borrower to other lenders and finance companies in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00, on terms and conditions acceptable to Agent.

 

6.2          Contingent Liabilities.  Assume, guarantee, become liable as a surety, endorse, contingently agree to purchase, or otherwise be or become liable, directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, by means of a maintenance agreement, an asset or stock purchase agreement, or any other agreement designed to ensure any creditor against loss), for or on account of the obligation of any person or entity, except:

 

(a)           by the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business.

 

6.3          Liens.  Create, incur, assume, or allow to exist any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien (including the lien of an attachment, judgment, or execution), security interest, or other encumbrance of any kind upon any of its properly, real or personal (collectively, “Liens”).  The foregoing restrictions will not apply to:

 

(a)            Liens in favor of Lender and/or CoBank.

 

(b)           Liens for taxes, assessments, or governmental charges that are not past due.

 

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(c)            Liens and deposits under workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security Laws.

 

(d)           Liens and deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), and like obligations arising in the ordinary course of business as conducted on the date hereof.

 

(e)            Liens imposed by Law in favor of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, and like persons that secure obligations that are not past due.

 

(f)            Easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and other similar encumbrances which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the occupation, use, and enjoyment of the property or assets encumbered thereby in the normal course of its business or materially impair the value of the property subject thereto.

 

(g)           Liens in favor of Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation.

 

(h)           Liens in favor of other lenders and finance companies to secure indebtedness permitted hereunder.

 

6.4          Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction with any Affiliate except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person or entity that was not an Affiliate.

 

6.5          Loans and Investments.  Make any loan or advance to any person or entity, or purchase any capital stock, obligations or other securities of, make any capital contributions to, or otherwise invest in any person or entity, or form or create any partnerships or joint ventures, except:

 

(a)           trade credit extended in the ordinary course of business.

 

(b)           equity in, or obligation of, Lender and/or CoBank.

 

6.6          Dividends and Distributions.  Declare or pay any dividends, or make any distribution of assets to the stockholders, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of its capital stock, or allocate or otherwise set apart any sum for any of the foregoing, except that in any fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower may pay dividends in an amount up to 40.00% of its net income for the prior fiscal year, provided that no Event of Default or Potential Default will have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may pay dividends of any amount at any time, provided that the Borrower’s working capital (as calculated per Section 7.1 herein), pre and post distribution, remains above $12,500,000.00 and provided the Borrower will remain in compliance with all other loan covenants, terms, and conditions.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

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6.7          Mergers, Acquisitions, Etc.  Merge or consolidate with any other entity or acquire all or a material part of the assets of any other person or entity, or form or create any new Subsidiary, or commence operations under any other name, organization, or entity, including any joint venture.

 

6.8          Transfer of Assets.  Sell, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, except:  (a) in the ordinary course of business; and (b) the sale, transfer or disposal of any obsolete or worn-out assets that are no longer necessary or required in the conduct of the Borrower’s business.

 

6.9          Change in Business.  Engage in any business activities or operations substantially different from or unrelated to the Borrower’s present business activities or operations.

 

6.10        Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of any loan made by Lender to the Borrower, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

 

6.11        Operating Leases.  Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist any obligation as lessee under operating leases for the rental or hire of any real or personal property except:

 

(a)           railroad leases.

 

(b)           leases with Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation.

 

(c)           railcar leases, provided, however, that no such lease will exceed an initial or extended term of 120 months, on terms and conditions acceptable to Agent.

 

(d)           other leases which do not in the aggregate require the Borrower to make scheduled payments to the lessors in any fiscal year of the Borrower in excess of $100,000.00.

 

ARTICLE 7           Financial Covenants. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Agent, while this Agreement is in effect:

 

7.1          Working Capital.  The Borrower will have at the end of each period for which financial statements are required to be furnished pursuant to this Agreement an excess of current assets over current liabilities of not less than $10,000,000.00, except that in determining current assets, any amount available under any revolving term promissory note hereunder (less the amount that would be considered a current liability if fully advanced hereto) may be included (all as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards).

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

7.2          Net Worth.  The Borrower will have at the end of each period for which financial statements are required to be furnished pursuant to this Agreement an excess of total assets over total liabilities of not less than $35,000,000.00 (all as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards).

 

ARTICLE 8           Default.

 

8.1          Each of the following will constitute an “Event of Default” hereunder:

 

(a)           Payment Default.  The Borrower should fail to make any payment to Agent when due, or should fail to purchase any equity in Lender or Lender’s parent Association as and when required by the Capital Plan and/or Bylaws of Lender or its parent Association.

 

(b)           Representations and Warranties.  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made at any time by the Borrower, herein or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished to Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower, will have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time it was made or furnished.

 

(c)           Covenants.  The Borrower will default in the observance or performance of any covenant set forth in Article 5 (other than Sections 5.1(c), 5.1(d), 5.1(e)(1), and 5.1(e)(2) above), and such default continues for 30 days after written notice thereof will have been delivered to the Borrower by Agent.

 

(d)           Other Covenants and Agreements.  The Borrower will default in the observance or performance of Sections 5.1(c), 5.1(d), 5.1(e)(1), and 5.1(e)(2) or any other covenant or agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document or will use the proceeds of any loan for any unauthorized purpose.

 

(e)           Cross Default.  Any Loan Party should, after any applicable grace period, breach or be in default under the terms of any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, any security instrument or document) or any other agreement between any Loan Party and Lender or CoBank, or between any Loan Party and any Affiliate of Lender or CoBank, including without limitation Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation.

 

(f)            Other Indebtedness.  Any Loan Party or Subsidiary should fail to pay when due any indebtedness to any other person or entity for borrowed money or any long-term obligation for the deferred purchase price of property (including any capitalized lease), or any other event occurs that, under any agreement or instrument relating to such indebtedness or obligation, has the effect of accelerating or permitting the acceleration of such indebtedness or obligation, whether or not such indebtedness or obligation is actually accelerated or the right to accelerate is conditioned on the giving of notice, the passage of time, or otherwise.

 

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(g)           Judgments.  A judgment, decree, or order for the payment of money will have been rendered against any Loan Party and either: (I) enforcement proceedings will have been commenced; (2) a Lien prohibited by this Agreement, any security instrument, or any other Loan Document, will have been obtained; or (3) such judgment, decree, or order will continue unsatisfied and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days without being vacated, discharged, satisfied, bonded, or stayed pending appeal.

 

(h)           Loan Document Unenforceable.  Any of the Loan Documents ceases to be a legal, valid, and binding agreement enforceable against any Loan Party or is in any way terminated (except in accordance with its terms) or becomes or is declared ineffective or inoperative.

 

(i)             Revocation of Guaranty.  Any guaranty, suretyship, subordination agreement, maintenance agreement, or other agreement furnished in connection with the Borrower’s obligations hereunder and under any Promissory Note will, at any time, cease to be in full force and effect, or will be revoked or declared null and void, or the validity thereof will be contested by the Guarantor, surety or other maker thereof, or the Guarantor will deny any further liability or obligations thereunder, or will fail to perform its obligations thereunder, or any representation or warranty set forth therein will be breached, or the Guarantor will breach or be in default under the terms of any other agreement with Lender and/or Agent (including any loan agreement or security agreement), or a default set forth in sections (f) through (h) will occur with respect to the Guarantor.

 

(j)             Insolvency, Etc.  Any Loan Party or Subsidiary will: (1) become insolvent or will generally not, or will be unable to, or will admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or (2) suspend its business operations or a material part thereof or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (3) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or other custodian for it or any of its property; or (4) have commenced against it any action or proceeding for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or other custodian and such action or proceeding is not dismissed within 30 days of the date thereof, or a trustee, receiver, or other custodian is appointed for all or any part of its property; or (5) receive notice from any regulatory or governmental authority to the effect that such authority intends to replace the management of any Loan Party or assume control over any Loan Party or Subsidiary; or (6) commence or have commenced against it any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, or liquidation law of any jurisdiction.

 

(k)           Material Adverse Change.  Any Material Adverse Change occurs, as reasonably determined by Agent.

 

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Agreement No. 0031748SLA

8.2           Remedies.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or Potential Default, neither Lender nor Agent will have any obligation to extend or continue to extend credit to the Borrower and may discontinue doing so at any time without prior notice or other limitation.  In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Lender and Agent may, upon notice to the Borrower:

 

(a)            Termination and Acceleration.  Termination any commitment and declare the unpaid principal balance of the loans, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, each Promissory Note, and all other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable.  Upon such a declaration, the unpaid principal balance of the loans and all such other amounts will become immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, demand, or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

 

(b)           Enforcement.  Proceed to protect, exercise, and enforce such rights and remedies as may be provided by this Agreement, any security instrument or document, any other Loan Document, or under Law.  Each and every one of such rights and remedies will be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time, and no failure on the part of Lender or Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right or remedy will operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy will preclude any future or other exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right.  Without limiting the foregoing, Agent may hold and/or set off and apply against the Borrower’s obligations to Lender the proceeds of any equity in Lender or Lender’s parent Association, any cash collateral held by Lender or Agent, or any balances held by Lender or Agent for the Borrower’s account (whether or not such balances are then due).

 

(c)           Application of Funds.  Agent may apply all payments received by it to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender in such order and manner as Agent may elect in its sole discretion.

 

In addition to the rights and remedies set forth above and notwithstanding any Promissory Note: (1) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at Lender and/or Agent’s option in each instance, the entire indebtedness outstanding hereunder and under each Promissory Note will bear interest from the date of such Event of Default until such Event of Default will have been waived or cured in a manner satisfactory to Lender and Agent at 4.00% per annum in excess of the rate(s) of interest that would otherwise be in effect on that loan under the terms of the applicable Promissory Note; and (2) after the maturity of any loan (whether as a result of acceleration or otherwise), the unpaid principal balance of such loan (including without limitation, principal, interest, fees and expenses) will automatically bear interest at 4.00% per annum in excess of the rate(s) of interest that would otherwise be in effect on that loan under the terms of the Promissory Note.  All interest provided for herein will be payable on demand and will be calculated on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days.

 

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Agreement No. 0031748SLA

ARTICLE 9           Miscellaneous.

 

9.1          Amendments; Waivers; Etc.  No amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower herefrom or therefrom, will be effective unless approved by Agent and contained in a writing signed by or on behalf of Lender by Agent, and then such waiver or consent will be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.  In the event this Agreement is amended or restated, each such amendment or restatement will be applicable to all Promissory Notes hereto.

 

ARTICLE 10         Expenses; Indemnification; Damage Waiver; Fees.

 

10.1        Costs and Expenses.  To the extent allowed by Law, the Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel retained or employed by Lender and/or Agent) incurred by Lender and/or Agent and any participants of Lender and/or Agent in connection with the origination, administration, collection and enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all costs and expenses incurred in obtaining, perfecting, maintaining, determining the priority of, and releasing any security for the Borrower’s obligations to Lender and/or Agent, and any stamp, intangible, transfer or like tax incurred in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the recording hereof or thereof.

 

10.2        Indemnification.  The Borrower indemnifies Lender, Agent, each of their Affiliates and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each an “Indemnitee”) against, and holds each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including fees and expenses of employed or retained counsel) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of or as a result of (a) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document, the performance or nonperformance by the Borrower of its obligations under any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the use of the proceeds therefrom, (b) breach of representations, warranties or covenants of the Borrower under any Loan Document, or (c) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, including any such items or losses relating to or arising under environmental Laws or pertaining to environmental matters, regardless whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity will not, as to an Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

 

10.3        Waiver of Consequential Damages.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower will not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document, the transactions contemplated thereby or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

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10.4        Notices.  All notices hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when addressed to the party intended to receive the same at the address of such party set forth below (or such other address either party may specify by like notice), (a) upon delivery if personally delivered to a party at such address, (b) three days after the same is deposited in the United States mail as first class, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage paid, (c) one business day after the same has been deposited with Federal Express or another nationally recognized overnight courier service if designated for next-day delivery, and (d) upon delivery if sent by facsimile or electronic mail with confirmation of delivery of the same:

 

If to Lender, as follows:

 

	
Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA and

	 	 
	
Farm Credit Services of America, PCA

	 	 
	
5015 South 118th Street

	 	 
	
Omaha, Nebraska 68137

	 	 
	 	 	 
	
Attn:

	 	 	 
	
Fax No.:

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
If to Agent, as follows:

	 	
If to the Borrower, as follows:

	 	 	 
	
For general correspondence purposes:

	 	
Lincolnway Energy, LLC

	
P.O. Box 5110

	 	
59511 West Lincoln Highway

	
Denver, Colorado  80217-5110

	 	
Nevada, Iowa  50201

	 	 	 
	
For direct delivery purposes, when desired:

	 	
59511 West Lincoln Highway

	
6340 South Fiddlers Green Circle

	 	
Nevada, Iowa  50201

	
Greenwood Village, Colorado  80111-1914

	 	
 

	 	 	 
	
Attention:  Credit Information Services

	 	
Attention:  Director of Finance

	
Fax No.:  (303) 224-6101

	 	
Fax No.:  (515) 663-9335

 

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Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

10.5        Effectiveness and Severability.  This Agreement will continue in effect until: (a) all indebtedness and obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been paid or satisfied; (b) Lender has no commitment to extend credit to or for the account of the Borrower under any Promissory Note; and (c) either Lender, Agent, or the Borrower sends written notice to the other parties terminating this Agreement.  Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceable without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or thereof.

 

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Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

10.6        Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)           Successors and Assigns Generally.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, Lender, Agent and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of Agent.

 

(b)           Participations, Etc.  From time to time, Lender and/or Agent may sell to one or more banks, financial institutions, or other lenders a participation in one or more of the loans or other extensions of credit made pursuant to this Agreement.  However, no such participation will relieve Lender of any commitment made to the Borrower hereunder.  In connection with the foregoing, Lender and Agent may disclose information concerning the Borrower and its subsidiaries, if any, to any participant or prospective participant, provided that such participant or prospective participant agrees to keep such information confidential.  Patronage distributions in the event of a sale of a participation interest will be governed by Lender’s or Lender’s Parent Association Bylaws and Capital Plan (as each may be amended from time to time).  A sale of a participation interest may include certain voting rights of the participants regarding the loans hereunder (including without limitation the administration, servicing, and enforcement thereof).  Lender and Agent agrees to give written notification to the Borrower of any sale of a participation interest, which notifications may be given by Agent on behalf of Lender.

 

10.7        Integration; Other Types of Credit; Counterparts.

 

(a)           Integration.  The Loan Documents are intended by the parties to be a complete and final expression of their agreement.  Each Promissory Note will be deemed to incorporate all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if fully set forth therein.  Without limiting the foregoing, any capitalized term utilized in any Promissory Note (or in any amendment to this Agreement or Promissory Note) and not otherwise defined in the Promissory Note (or amendment) will have the meaning set forth herein or, if applicable, in the Accounting Standards.  In the event the Accounting Standards are changed after the date hereof, then all such changes will be applicable hereto, unless Agent otherwise specifies in writing.

 

(b)           Other Types of Credit.  From time to time, Agent on behalf of Lender may issue letters of credit or extend other types of credit to or for the account of the Borrower.  In the event the parties desire to do so under the terms of this Agreement, then the agreement of the parties with respect thereto may be set forth in a Promissory Note and this Agreement will be applicable thereto.

 

(c)           Counterparts.  This Agreement, each Promissory Note and any other Loan Document may be executed in counterparts, each of which will constitute an original, but all of which when taken together will constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement, each Promissory Note and any other Loan Document by facsimile or other electronic means will be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of each such agreement.

 

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Agreement No. 0031748SLA

10.8        Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a)           Applicable Law.  Without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws and except to the extent governed by federal law, the Laws of the State of Colorado, without reference to choice of law doctrine, will govern this Agreement, each Promissory Note and any other Loan Document for which Colorado is specified as the applicable law, and all disputes and matters between the parties to this Agreement, including all disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with or incident to the lending and/or leasing or other business relationship between the parties, and the rights and obligations of the parties to this Agreement or any other Loan Document by and between the parties for which Colorado is specified as the applicable law.

 

(b)           Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court in Denver, Colorado, and consents that Lender and/or Agent may effect any service of process in the manner and at the Borrower’s address set forth herein for providing notice or demand; provided that nothing contained in this Agreement will prevent Lender and/or Agent from bringing any action, enforcing any award or judgment or exercising any rights against the Borrower individually, against any collateral or against any property of the Borrower within any other county, state or other foreign or domestic jurisdiction.

 

(c)           Waiver of Venue.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the venue provided above is the most convenient forum for the Borrower and Lender and Agent.  The Borrower waives any objection to venue and any objection based on a more convenient forum in any action instituted under this Agreement.

 

(d)           Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Borrower and Lender each hereby irrevocably waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in connection with any action directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  Each party hereto (1) certifies that no representative, administrative agent or attorney of any other person has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other person would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (2) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and other Loan Documents by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this section.

 

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Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

10.9        USA Patriot Act Notice.  Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies the Borrower in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.  The Borrower covenants and agrees it will not, and agrees to cause each of its subsidiaries not to, at any time, directly or indirectly be (a) a person with whom Lender and/or Agent is restricted from doing business under any Anti-Terrorism Law, (b) engaged in any business involved in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of such a person or in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (c) otherwise in violation of any Anti- Terrorism Law (the Borrower will and will cause each of its subsidiaries to provide to Lender and/or Agent any certifications or information that Lender and/or Agent requests to confirm compliance by the Borrower and its subsidiaries with any Anti-Terrorism Law).  “Anti-Terrorism Law” means any Law relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No.  13224, the USA Patriot Act, the Laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the Laws administered by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, as any of the foregoing Laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or replaced.

 

10.10      Administrative Fee.  As long as the Borrower has a commitment from Lender, the Borrower agrees to pay to Agent on November 1, 2017, and on each November 1st thereafter, an administrative fee in the amount of $4,500.00.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

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Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their duly authorized officers, have executed this Agreement.

 

	 	
LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	
/s/ Kristine A. Strum

	 	 	 
	 	
Name:

	
Kristine A. Strum

	 	 	 
	 	
Title:

	
Director of Finance

 

LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their duly authorized officers, have executed this Agreement.

 

	 	
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA

	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	
/s/ Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Name:

	
Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Title:

	
Vice President

	 	 	 
	 	
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA,  PCA

	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	
/s/ Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Name:

	
Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Title:

	
Vice President

 

LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Agreement No. 0031748SLA

SCHEDULE 5.0 - Subsidiaries

 

Agreement No. 0003 1748SLA

 

None.Exhibit 10.2

 

Loan No. 00031748T02

AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING TERM PROMISSORY NOTE

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING TERM PROMISSORY NOTE (this “Promissory Note”) to the Credit Agreement (as amended) dated July 3, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”), is entered into as of July 3, 2017 between FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA (“Lender”) and LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC, Nevada, Iowa, a limited liability company (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “Borrower”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Promissory Note will have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

RECITALS

(A)         This Promissory Note amends, restates, replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Revolving Term Loan Supplement numbered RI0218T02H, dated as of June 2, 2016 between Lender and the Borrower.

SECTION 1.        REVOLVING TERM COMMITMENT. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement and this Promissory Note, Lender agrees to make loans to the Borrower during the period set forth below in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount set forth below at any one time outstanding (the “Commitment”). The Maximum Commitment Amount will be $18,000,000.00 initially and will reduce during the term of the Commitment as follows. Within the limits of the Commitment, the Borrower may borrow, repay and re-borrow.

	
Maximum Commitment Amount

	
From

	
Up to and Including

	
$14,400,000.00

	
July 1, 2019

	
June 30, 2020

	
$10,800,000.00

	
July 1, 2020

	
June 30, 2021

	
$7,200,000.00

	
July 1, 2021

	
July 1, 2022

SECTION 2.       PURPOSE. The purpose of the Commitment is to finance construction projects and provide working capital to the Borrower.

SECTION 3.        TERM. The term of the Commitment will be from the date hereof, up to and including July 1, 2022 (the “Term Expiration Date”), or such later date as Agent (as defined in the Credit Agreement) may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

SECTION 4.        LIMITS ON ADVANCES, AVAILABILITY, ETC. The loans will be made available as provided in Article 2 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.        INTEREST. The Borrower agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the loan(s) in accordance with the following interest rate option(s):

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Promissory Note No. 00031748T02

(A)         One-Month LIBOR Index Rate. At a rate (rounded upward to the nearest l/ 100th and adjusted for reserves required on Eurocurrency Liabilities (as hereinafter defined) for banks subject to FRB Regulation D (as hereinafter defined) or required by any other federal law or regulation) per annum equal at all times to 3.150% above the higher of: (1) zero percent (0.00%); or (2) the rate reported at 11:00 a.m. London time for the offering of one (1)-month U.S. dollars deposits, by Bloomberg Information Services (or any successor or substitute service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided by such service, as determined by Agent from time to time, for the purpose of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) on the first U.S. Banking Day (as hereinafter defined) in each week, with such rate to change weekly on such day. The rate will be reset automatically, without the necessity of notice being provided to Agent, the Borrower, or any other party, on the first U.S. Banking Day of each succeeding week, and each change in the rate will be applicable to all balances subject to this option. Information about the then-current rate will be made available upon telephonic request. For purposes hereof: (a) “U.S. Banking Day” means a day on which Agent is open for business and banks are open for business in New York, New York; (b) “Eurocurrency Liabilities” will have the meaning as set forth in “FRB Regulation D”; and (c) “FRB Regulation D” means Regulation D as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 CFR Part 204, as amended.

(B)        Quoted Rate. At a fixed rate per annum to be quoted by Agent in its sole discretion in each instance. Under this option, rates may be fixed on such balances and for such periods, as may be agreeable to Agent in its sole discretion in each instance, provided that: (1) the minimum fixed period will be 365 days; (2) amounts may be fixed in an amount not less than $100,000.00 or multiples thereof; and (3) the maximum number of fixes in place at any one time will be five.

(C)         LIBOR. At a fixed rate per annum equal to LIBOR (as hereinafter defined), plus 3.150%. Under this option: (1) rates may be fixed for Interest Periods (as hereinafter defined) of 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 months, as selected by the Borrower; (2) amounts may be fixed in an amount not less than $100,000.00 or multiples thereof; (3) the maximum number of fixes in place at any one time will be five; (4) rates may only be fixed on a Banking Day (as hereinafter defined) on three Banking Days’ prior written notice, and (5) no Interest Period will end later than the maturity date of the Commitment as may be extended from time to time. For purposes hereof: (a) “LIBOR” means the higher of: (i) zero percent (0.00%); or (ii) the rate (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th and adjusted for reserves required on Eurocurrency Liabilities (as hereinafter defined) for banks subject to FRB Regulation D (as hereinafter defined) or required by any other federal law or regulation) reported at 11:00 a.m. London time two Banking Days before the commencement of the Interest Period for the offering of U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market for the Interest Period designated by the Borrower, by Bloomberg Information Services (or any successor or substitute service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided by such service, as determined by Agent from time to time, for the purpose of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market); (b) “Banking Day” means a day on which Agent is open for business, dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are being carried out in the London interbank market, and banks are open for business in New York City and London, England; (c) “Interest Period” means a period commencing on the date this option is to take effect and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the month that is 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 months thereafter, as the case may be; provided, however, that: (i) in the event such ending day is not a Banking Day, such period will be extended to the next Banking Day unless such next Banking Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case it will end on the preceding Banking Day; and (ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month, then such period will end on the last Banking Day in the relevant month; (d) “Eurocurrency Liabilities” will have meaning as set forth in FRB Regulation D; and (e) “FRB Regulation D” means Regulation D as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 CFR Part 204, as amended.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Promissory Note No. 00031748T02

The Borrower will select the applicable rate option at the time it requests a loan hereunder and may, subject to the limitations set forth above, elect to convert balances bearing interest at the variable rate option to one of the fixed rate options. If the Borrower fails to elect an interest rate option, interest will accrue at the variable interest rate option. Upon the expiration of any fixed rate period, interest will automatically accrue at the variable rate option unless the amount fixed is repaid or fixed for an additional period in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, rates may not be fixed for periods expiring after the maturity date of the loans and rates may not be fixed in such a manner as to cause the Borrower to have to break any fixed rate balance in order to pay any installment of principal. All elections provided for herein will be made electronically (if applicable), telephonically or in writing and must be received by Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. Denver, Colorado time in order to be considered to have been received on that day; provided, however, that in the case of LIBOR rate loans, all such elections must be confirmed in writing upon Agent’s request. Interest will be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and will be payable monthly in arrears by the 20th day of the following month or on such other day as Agent will require in a written notice to the Borrower (“Interest Payment Date”); provided, however, in the event the Borrower elects to fix all or a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the LIBOR interest rate option above, at Agent’s option upon written notice to the Borrower, interest will be payable at the maturity of the Interest Period and if the LIBOR interest rate fix is for a period longer than three months, interest on that portion of the indebtedness outstanding will be payable quarterly in arrears on each three-month anniversary of the commencement date of such Interest Period, and at maturity.

SECTION 6.        INTEREST REPRICING. The Borrower acknowledges that interest rates available on the date hereof in Sections 5(A) and 5(C) above (the “Available Rates”), may not represent the true cost of funds incurred by Lender in connection with making this Commitment available to Borrower. In recognition of the foregoing the Agent (as that term is defined in the MLA) shall, on the third anniversary of the date hereof (“Reset Date”), increase or decrease the Available Rates applicable to this Commitment by the basis points difference between the Current Cost of Funds and the Closing Date Cost of Funds, which increase or decrease shall remain in effect until the Term Expiration Date. As used herein:

(A)         “Closing Date Cost of Funds” means 0.010%, which is the difference between (A) the all-in one-month LIBOR Floating Note Rate cost of funds paid by Lender as indicated by the Farm Credit Funding Corporation and (B) the one-month LIBOR Rate as of the date hereof.

(B)         “Current Cost of Funds” means, as of any Reset Date, the difference, if any, between the all-in one-month LIBOR Floating Note Rate cost of funds paid by Lender as indicated by the Farm Credit Funding Corporation and the one-month LIBOR Rate as of such date.

(C)         “LIBOR Floating Note Rate” means, as of any date, the estimated funding cost, including standard underwriting fees, for new farm credit debt securities issued into the primary market based on market observations on such date indicated at approximately 9:30 a.m. Eastern time; provided that such indications represent the Farm Credit Funding Corporation’s best estimate of the cost of new debt issues based on a combination of daily surveys of selected farm credit selling group members (participating bond dealers) and ongoing monitoring of the fixed income markets for actual, recent, primary market issuance by other government-sponsored enterprises of similar bonds and notes and pricing within related derivative markets, particularly the interest rate swap market. Historical information on such funding costs is available, for the prior week, on the Farm Credit Funding Corporation’s website (http://www.farmcreditfunding.com/ffcb live/fundingCostlndex.html) under the “Output” tab of the most recent spreadsheet.

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Promissory Note No. 00031748T02

SECTION 7.        PROMISSORY NOTE. The Borrower promises to repay on the date of each reduction in the Commitment set forth in the schedule in Section 1 above, the outstanding principal, if any, that is in excess of the reducing Commitment amount set forth in the aforementioned schedule, followed by a final installment in an amount equal to the remaining unpaid principal balance of the loans on the Term Expiration Date.

In addition to the above, the Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loans at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.

SECTION 8.        SECURITY. The Borrower’s obligations hereunder and, to the extent related hereto, under the Credit Agreement, will be secured as provided in Section 2.4 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 9.        FEES.

(A)         Amendment Fee. In consideration of the Commitment, the Borrower agrees to pay to Agent on the execution hereof, a fee in the amount of $9,000.00.

(B)         Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Commitment, the Borrower agrees to pay to Agent a commitment fee on the average daily unused available portion of the Commitment at the rate of 0.500% per annum (calculated on a 360-day basis), payable monthly in arrears by the 20th day following each month. Such fee will be payable for each month (or portion thereof) occurring during the original or any extended term of the Commitment.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Promissory Note No. 00031748T02

SIGNATURE PAGE TO PROMISSORY NOTE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Promissory Note to the Credit Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officer(s).

	 	
LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	
/s/ Kristine A. Strum

	 	 	 
	 	
Name:

	
Kristine A. Strum

	 	 	 
	 	
Title:

	
Director of Finance

 

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LINCOLNWAY ENERGY, LLC

Nevada, Iowa

Promissory Note No. 00031748T02

SIGNATURE PAGE TO PROMISSORY NOTE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Promissory Note to the Credit Agreement to he executed by their duly authorized officer(s).

	 	
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA

	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	
/s/ Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Name:

	
Kathryn J. Frahm

	 	 	 
	 	
Title:

	
Vice President

 

 

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