Document:

ex_164701.htm

 

EXHIBIT 10.3

 

C O M M O N W E A L T H O F M A S S A C H U S E T T S

 

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASES

 

AGREEMENT made as of this 11th day of November, 2019, by and between INVO BioScience, Inc. (INVO), Jo Ann Jorge (Jorge), Francis Gleason, Jr. (Gleason), and Ronald Passch, M.D. (Paasch) (Jorge, Gleason and Paasch collectively hereinafter referred to as, Claimants), Kathleen Karloff (Karloff) and Dr. Claude Ranoux (Ranoux). Collectively, these six are hereinafter called the Parties. This writing hereinafter is called the Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, Claimants assert that they were shareholders, creditors, or otherwise interested in a certain company known as Medelle Corporation (Medelle), assets of which were sold in 2006 and became owned by Bio-X-Cell and were commercialized by INVO;

 

WHEREAS, Claimants assert claims against Medelle, INVO, Kathleen Karloff, and Ranoux arising out of the sale of Medelle’s assets and otherwise;

 

WHEREAS, Claimants have asserted said claims against INVO, Medelle, Karloff and Ranoux, among others, in the case known as Paasch, et al.  v. INVO BioScience, Inc. et al. Suffolk (MA) Superior Court, Civil Action No. SUCV2009-5519-BLS1 (the Lawsuit), which Lawsuit now has been dismissed by said court, but which now resulted in an appeal lodged with the Massachusetts Appeals Court under docket number 2019-P1485 (the Appeal);

 

WHEREAS, INVO and Ranoux have denied all liability in the Lawsuit;

 

NOW, WHEREFORE, for the mutual exchange of sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree, intending to be bound, to the following terms.

 

	
			1.

				
			Payments to Claimants.

			

 

INVO will make, within three business days of the exchange of fully-executed copies of this Agreement (in counterparts, as allowed below), payment as follows:

 

A. Wire transfer of the sum of $90,000.00 to the firm of Gleason & Gleason, P.C. as counsel for Claimants (the “Cash Payment”); and

 

B. Issuance of 300,000 shares (the “Shares”) of INVO common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to Claimants as follows, and by recording in the corporate records of INVO ownership of said Shares as follows (the “Stock Payment):

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 2 of 8

 

	 	
			Jorge:

				
			100,000 Shares;

			
	 	Gleason:	100,000 Shares; and
	 	Paasch:	100,000 Shares

 

The Cash Payment together with the Stock Payment shall be collectively referred to as the “Payment.” See Section 8.D-8.I below for acknowledgements regarding receipt of Shares.

 

The Cash Payment hereunder shall be complete upon receipt by Claimants, into the IOLTA Account of Gleason & Gleason, P.C., of the cash portion of the Payment as set forth in Section A above (which account details shall be transmitted to counsel for INVO prior to or contemporaneous with Claimants’ execution of this Agreement). The Stock Payment hereunder shall be complete upon the issuance (as more fully described in the paragraph below) of the Shares as set forth in Section 1B above. The date upon which (a) the Agreement is executed by all Parties and (b) the Cash Payment has been received by Claimants shall be hereafter referred to as the “Effective Date”;

 

The Stock Payment will be effective upon issuance of the requisite shares by INVO, as evidenced by confirmation from INVO’s transfer agent, but actual certificates are to be received by Gleason & Gleason, P.C., as counsel for the Claimants, within 30 days of the Effective Date. Should Claimants be reasonably required to take legal action to enforce requirements hereunder of issuance of the Shares or delivery of the certificates or recording of the ownership of shares in INVO’s records, Claimants shall be entitled to recover from INVO, in addition to equitable relief, their reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in pursuing such issuance, delivery or recording.

 

INVO agrees to direct its outside securities regulatory counsel (currently Greg Carney of Denons US) to provide, at INVO’s sole cost, the customary and necessary legal opinion letter, if and as such Shares are eligible, pursuant to Rule 144 (See Section 8E-8H below), to be sold, assigned or transferred and one or more Claimants desires to sell, assign or transfer such Shares.

 

	
			2.

				
			Disposition of Lawsuit

			

 

The Parties agree that, within two (2) business days from the full execution in counterparts (contemplated below) of this Agreement and upon Claimants’ receipt of the Cash Payment, the Parties shall take all steps reasonably necessary to dismiss the Appeal, with prejudice, and all claims thereunder. Among other things, the Parties shall, within two (2) business days of the Effective Date and pursuant to Mass. R. App. P. 29(b), submit a consented-to Motion to Dismiss along with a joint stipulation of dismissal to the Appeals Court, voluntarily dismissing Claimants’ appeal with prejudice and with all other rights of appeal forever waived. A copy of this Motion to Dismiss and stipulation is attached hereto at Tab A. The Parties shall file the Motion to Dismiss and accompanying stipulation of dismissal within two (2) business day of the Effective Date. The failure to file the said Stipulation or Motion within this time period shall not affect the enforceability of these filing or dismissal obligations.

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 3 of 8

 

	
			3.

				
			Non-Disparagement.

			

 

The Parties mutually agree not to disparage one another, in the marketplace and otherwise, after the date of this Agreement. Claimants agree that any obligation of INVO, Ranoux, and Karloff, except those under this Agreement, now have been fully satisfied and that any statement hereafter stating, suggesting, or implying that INVO, Ranoux, or Karloff has not satisfied all obligations between the parties shall be untrue. This section shall not preclude Claimants from asserting legal process, in good faith, to enforce terms of this Agreement. The Parties agree that, though damages may be available for breach of this provision, harm not remedied by damages is likely to occur in the event of a breach of this provision. Therefore, the Parties agree that an injunction is an appropriate partial remedy to address violations hereof.

 

	
			4.

				
			Confidentiality.

			

 

The Parties agree, and have directed their attorneys, that neither they nor their attorneys may disclose the existence, content, or amount of this settlement or the terms of this Agreement, except as strictly necessary to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, to comply with applicable law (including securities laws or regulation and the parties agree to state simply that the matter has been settled and, where disclosure of the Agreement is reasonably required under the law, to let the terms of this Agreement speak for themselves), to respond to inquiries of government or regulatory agencies, to comply with court orders, or to comply with good and accepted accounting principles, or as agreed by the Parties in writing provided that the Parties may share the Agreement with their respective attorneys, accountants or advisors. The Parties agree that, though damages may be available for breach of this provision, harm not remedied by damages is likely to occur in the event of a breach of this provision. Therefore, the Parties agree that an injunction is an appropriate partial remedy to address violations hereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit INVO from making good faith efforts to satisfy disclosure obligations required by state, federal, or international law related to financial securities or medical device regulation, or from disclosing matters otherwise made public pursuant to the above provisions (including securities laws and regulations) or otherwise.

 

	
			5.

				
			Release of INVO and Its Affiliates.

			

 

In consideration of the undertakings in this Agreement, particularly the obligation to make payments, Jo Ann Jorge, Francis Gleason, Jr., and Ronald Paasch, for themselves and their respective assigns, estates, and creditors, both current and former (the Claimant Releasors), hereby remise, release and forever discharge INVO BioScience, Inc., Bio-X-Cell, Inc., Medelle Corporation (and, if it no longer has existence, then its shareholders and creditors, as such), Kathleen Karloff, and each of their insurers and their predecessors, successors, and/or assigns, together with each of their respective principals, owners, shareholders, employees, officers, directors, and attorneys, both current and former (collectively, the Claimant Releasees), from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action, suits, debts, controversies, damages, judgments, executions, promises, torts, accords, satisfactions, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law, equity, and otherwise, whether known or unknown, that the Claimant Releasors or any of them had, has, claims to have, claims to have had, may have, or may have

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 4 of 8

 

had against the Claimant Releasees, from the beginning of time to date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all claims arising out of or relating to the purchase or sale of Medelle’s assets or the Lawsuit. This Agreement shall not supplant, but shall supplement, any settlement agreement or release of claims already existing between any of the Parties. The Parties expressly recognize that this Release is not intended to, and therefore shall not, release any party from obligations specifically stated in this Agreement.

 

	
			6.

				
			Release of Claude Ranoux

			

 

In consideration of the undertakings in this Agreement, particularly the obligation to any party to make payments, Jo Ann Jorge, Francis Gleason, Jr., and Ronald Paasch, for themselves and their respective assigns, estates, and creditors, both current and former (the Claimant Releasors), hereby remise, release and forever discharge Ranoux, and each of his insurers and his successors, estate, and/or assigns, together with each of their respective fiduciaries or beneficiaries (collectively, the Ranoux Releasees), from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action, suits, debts, controversies, damages, judgments, executions, promises, torts, accords, satisfactions, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law, equity, and otherwise, whether known or unknown, that the Claimant Releasors or any of them had, has, claims to have, claims to have had, may have, or may have had against the Ranoux Releasees, from the beginning of time to date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all claims arising out of or relating to the purchase or sale of Medelle’s assets or the Lawsuit. This Agreement shall not supplant, but shall supplement, any settlement agreement or release of claims already existing between any of the Parties. The Parties expressly recognize that this Release is not intended to, and therefore shall not, release any party from obligations specifically stated in this Agreement.

 

	
			7.

				
			Release of Paasch, Gleason, and Jorge

			

 

In consideration of the undertakings in this Agreement, particularly the release of claims as set forth above, INVO, Karloff and Ranoux (collectively, the Defendant Releasors), for themselves and their respective assigns, estates, and creditors, both current and former, hereby remise, release and forever discharge Paasch, Gleason, and Jorge, and each of their insurers and their predecessors, successors, and/or assigns, together with each of their respective principals, owners, shareholders, employees, officers, directors, and attorneys, both current and former (collectively, the Claimant Releasees), from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action, suits, debts, controversies, damages, judgments, executions, promises, torts, accords, satisfactions, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law, equity, and otherwise, whether known or unknown, that the Defendant Releasors or any of them had, has, claims to have, claims to have had, may have, or may have had against the Claimant Releasees, from the beginning of time to date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all claims arising out of or relating to the sale of Medelle’s assets or the Lawsuit. This Agreement shall not supplant, but shall supplement, any settlement agreement or release of claims already existing between any of the Parties. The Parties expressly recognize that this Release is not intended to, and therefore shall not, release any party from obligations specifically stated in this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 5 of 8

 

	
			8.

				Acknowledgements Of Claimants.

 

A.     INVO, Ranoux, and Karloff deny all liability in the lawsuit.

 

B.     Claimants are not relying on any representations or statements of INVO, Ranoux, or Karloff in entering into this Agreement.

 

C.     No Claimant has assigned, sold, promised, or mortgaged any actual, potential, or asserted claim or interest addressed in this Agreement.

 

D.     Each Claimant represents that such Claimant has been given full and complete access to INVO for the purpose of obtaining such information as such Claimant or its qualified representative has reasonably requested in connection with the decision to receive the Shares. Claimant represents that it has received and reviewed copies of each report filed by INVO with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission since January 1, 2017. Claimant represents that it has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the officers of INVO regarding its business prospects and the Shares, all as Claimant or Claimant’s qualified representative have found necessary to make an informed investment decision to receive the Shares.

 

E.     Each Claimant has been advised that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or any other applicable securities laws and that Shares are being offered and sold pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder, and that the Company’s reliance upon Section 4(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D is predicated in part on each Claimant’s representations as contained herein. Each Claimant acknowledges that the Shares will be issued as “restricted securities” as defined by Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144”). The Shares may not be resold in the absence of an effective registration thereof under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, an applicable exemption from registration is available.

 

F.     Each Claimant represents that it is acquiring the Shares for each Claimant’s own account, and not as nominee or agent, for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, a distribution, as that term is used in Section 2(11) of the 1933 Act, in a manner which would require registration under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws.

 

G.     Each Claimant understands and acknowledges that the Shares, when issued, may bear the following legend:

 

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED FOR VALUE IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND/OR THE SECURITIES ACT OF ANY STATE HAVING JURISDICTION

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 6 of 8

 

OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SUCH ACT OR ACTS.

 

H.     Each Claimant acknowledges that an investment in the Shares is not liquid and the Shares are transferable only under limited conditions. Each Claimant acknowledges that such securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Each Claimant is aware of the provisions of Rule 144, which permits limited resale of restricted securities subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and that such Rule is not now available and, in the future, may not become available for resale of the Shares.

 

I.     Each Claimant acknowledges that it is able to protect its interests in connection with the acquisition of the Shares and can bear the economic risk of investment in such securities without producing a material adverse change in such Claimant’s financial condition. Each Claimant, either alone or with such Claimant’s representative(s), otherwise has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that such Claimant is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares.

 

J.     Claimants acknowledge that they have resolved amongst themselves an appropriate, fair, and binding allocation of the payments under Section 1 above and that any conflict of interest or dispute relating to the division of such proceeds or, indeed, the handling of the claims and interests resolved in this Agreement is the risk and responsibility of each of the Claimants and will be no basis, now or ever, to disclaim or avoid the obligations in this Agreement. Each Claimant has considered the option of obtaining separate legal and accounting advice.

 

K.     Claimants separately acknowledge that they are responsible for any tax or financial consequence of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

L.     Claimants acknowledge that the terms of this Agreement, and each of them, are material inducements to the Claimant Releasees (defined above) to enter into this Agreement and to take action hereunder. The failure to adhere to, but rather to take action contrary to, the provisions hereunder, including the releases, is understood to cause harm to the Claimant Releasees, or any of them, including incurring of legal fees and costs.

 

	
			9.

				Miscellaneous.

 

	 	
			a.

				
			Headings contained herein are for convenience and reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any term or condition of this Agreement.

			

 

	 	
			b.

				
			This Agreement may be executed in counterpart originals, each of which shall be deemed an original. Once counterparts have been assembled, execution of this Agreement will be deemed effective subject to any other conditions set forth herein. Facsimile signatures (including exchanges by email of pdf copies and including signed copies generated by electronic means such as DocuSign) shall constitute original signatures for all purposes relating to this Agreement.

			

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 7 of 8

 

	 	
			c.

				
			This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

			

 

	 	
			d.

				
			This Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the laws of, and only in the courts of, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including its local federal courts.

			

 

EXECUTED AS UNDER SEAL AS OF THE 11th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019.

 

INVO BioSCIENCE, INC.

 

 

By: _________________________________

      Steve Shum, its Chief Executive Officer

      Duly authorized

 

 

 

JO ANN JORGE

 

 

 

_________________________________

Jo Ann Jorge, Individually

 

 

 

FRANCIS GLEASON, JR.

 

 

 

_________________________________

Francis Gleason, Individually

 

 

 

RONALD PAASCH, M.D.

 

 

 

_________________________________

Ronald Paasch, Individually

 

[ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAASCH et al. v. INVO, et al.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Page 8 of 8

 

 

 

 

CLAUDE RANOUX

 

 

 

_________________________________

Dr. Claude Ranoux, Individually

 

 

 

 

KATHLEEN KARLOFF

 

 

 

_________________________________

Kathleen Karloff, Individually

 

 

 

 

 

2298838.1 03710.000Exhibit 10.1

      

      
         

        

        AMENDMENT NO. 4

         

        TO

         

        CREDIT AGREEMENT

         

        THIS AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 8, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between SOUTHWEST IOWA RENEWABLE ENERGY,
          LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of Iowa (the “Company”), FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“Lender”), and COBANK, ACB, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“CoBank”), in its capacity as Cash Management Provider and Agent. Capitalized terms
          not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement.

         

        BACKGROUND:

         

        WHEREAS, the Company, Lender and CoBank are parties to a Credit Agreement dated as of June 24, 2014, Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of
          February 11, 2015, Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 11, 2015 and Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of January 25, 2016 (as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented,
          collectively the “Existing Credit Agreement”), and the other Loan Documents;

         

        WHEREAS, the Company has requested that, as of the Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement be amended as herein provided; and

         

        WHEREAS, Lender and CoBank are willing, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make such amendments;

         

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         

        
          
            ARTICLE 1        Definitions.

          

        

         

        1.1         Certain Definitions. The following terms when used in the Agreement shall have the following meanings:

         

        “Agreement” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

         

        “CoBank” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

         

        “Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

         

        “Effective Date” is defined in Article 4.

         

        “Existing Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital to this Agreement.

         

        “First Amended and Restated Revolving Term Note” is defined in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

         

        “First Amended and Restated Term Note” is defined in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

         

        “Lender” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

         

        
          1

          
            

        

        1.2         Other Definitions. Unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise requires, terms used herein (including in the preamble and recitals
          hereto) have the meanings provided for in the Existing Credit Agreement.

         

        ARTICLE 2         Amendments.

         

        Effective on (and subject to the occurrence of) the Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement is amended as follows:

         

        2.1         Term Note.  The Term Note referenced in Section 2.1(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, and attached to the Existing Credit Agreement as
          Exhibit A, has been amended and restated in its entirety and is in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated into the Existing Credit Agreement by reference and made a part thereof (the “First Amended and Restated Term Note”).

         

        2.2        Revolving Term Note.  The Revolving Term Note referenced in Section 2.2(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement, and attached to the Existing
          Credit Agreement as Exhibit B, has been amended and restated in its entirety and is in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated into the Existing Credit Agreement by reference and made a
          part thereof (the “First Amended and Restated Revolving Term Note”).

         

        2.3         Amendment to Section 2.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section 2.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section 2.1 in its entirety
          and substituting the following Section 2.1 in its place:

         

        “2.1         The Term Loan. Lender agrees to make a term loan to the Company in a principal amount not to exceed the Term Loan Amount set forth in the
          Term Note (the “Term Loan”) upon the request of the Company made in accordance with the terms of the Term Note and this Agreement; provided, however, that the Term Loan shall be made in a single advance on
          or before the Term Loan Availability Expiration Date. 

         

        (a)          The Term Note.  The Term Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the
          Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, payable to the order of Lender (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or renewed from time to
          time, the “Term Note”).  The terms and provisions of the Term Note are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.  In the event of irreconcilable inconsistency between the terms hereof and the
          terms of the Term Note, the terms of the Term Note shall control.

         

        (b)          Payments.  All principal, interest and fees outstanding under the Term Loan shall be due and payable pursuant to the Term Note except to the
          extent otherwise provided for in this Agreement.

         

        (c)          Readvancement.  The principal amount of $30,000,000 was originally advanced to the Company on June 24, 2014 under the Term Note dated as of
          June 24, 2014 by the Company to the order of the Lender in the original principal amount of $30,000,000.  Such principal amount, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, was repaid in full on September 20, 2019.  Notwithstanding the
          foregoing, as of November 8, 2019, the Lender is making the Term Loan Amount available to the Company under the Term Note.”

         

        2.4        Amendment to Section 3.3 of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section 3.3 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section
          3.3 in its entirety and substituting the following Section 3.3 in its place:

         

        
          2

          
            

        

        “3.3        LIBOR Rate and LIBOR Index Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Etc.

         

        (a)          Unascertainable.  If, on any date on which a LIBOR Rate or
          LIBOR Index Rate would otherwise be determined, Agent shall have determined that:

         

        
          
            	

                  	(i)	
                    adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining such LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Index Rate, or

                  

          

        

         

        
          
            	

                  	(ii)	
                    a contingency has occurred which materially and adversely affects the London interbank eurodollar market relating to the LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Index Rate,

                  

          

        

         

        then in either case Lender shall have the rights specified in Section 3.3(c).

         

        (b)          Illegality.  If at any time Agent shall have
          determined that the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan to which the LIBOR Option or LIBOR Index Option applies has been made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by Agent in good faith with any Law or any interpretation or application
          thereof by any Official Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body (whether or not having the force of Law), then Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 3.3(c).

         

        (c)         Lender and Agent’s Rights.  In the case of an
          event specified in Section 3.3(a) or 3.3(b), Agent shall so notify the Company thereof, and in the case of an event specified in Section 3.3(b), such notice shall describe the specific circumstances of such event.  Upon such date as shall be
          specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation of Lender to allow the Company to select, convert to or renew a LIBOR Option or LIBOR Index Option shall be suspended until Agent shall have
          later notified the Company of Agent’s determination that the circumstances giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist.  If at any time Agent makes a determination under Section 3.3(a) and the Company has previously notified Agent
          of its selection of, conversion to or renewal of a LIBOR Option or LIBOR Index Option and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into effect, such notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of, conversion to or renewal of the
          Effective Prime Rate with respect to such Loans.  If Agent notifies the Company of a determination under Section 3.3(b), the Company shall, subject to the Company’s indemnification Obligations under Section 3.4, as to any Loan of the Company to
          which a LIBOR Option or LIBOR Index Option applies, as applicable, on the date specified in such notice either convert such Loan to the Effective Prime Rate with respect to such Loan or prepay such Loan in accordance with Section 2.6.  Absent due
          notice from the Company of conversion or prepayment, the interest rate on such Loan shall automatically be converted to the Effective Prime Rate with respect to such Loan upon such specified date.

         

        (d)          LIBOR Replacement Rate.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any
          other Loan Document, but without limiting Section 3.3(a) above, if the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), or the Company or the Lender notifies the Agent (with in
          the case of the Lender, a copy to the Company) that the Company or the Lender (as applicable) shall have determined (which determination likewise shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), that (i) the circumstances
          described in Section 3.3(a)(i) have arisen and that such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary, (ii) the relevant administrator of the LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Index Rate or a governmental authority having or purporting to have jurisdiction over
          the Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Index Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining interest rates for loans in the applicable currency (such specific date,
          the “LIBOR Scheduled Unavailability Date”), or (iii) syndicated credit facilities among national and/or regional banks active in leading and participating in such facilities currently being executed, or
          that include language similar to that contained in this Section 3.3(d), are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new interest rate to replace the LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Index Rate for determining interest rates for
          loans in the applicable currency, then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Agent or receipt by the Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Agent and the Company may amend this Agreement and the Notes to replace the LIBOR Rate or
          LIBOR Index Rate with an alternate rate of interest, giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative rates of interest (any such proposed rate,
          a “LIBOR Replacement Rate”), and make such other related changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Agent, to effect the provisions of
          this Section 3.3(d) (provided, that any definition of the LIBOR Replacement Rate shall specify that in no event shall such LIBOR Replacement Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement).  The LIBOR Replacement Rate shall be
          applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Agent, such LIBOR Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined
          by the Agent (it being understood that any such modification to application by the Agent made as so determined shall not require the consent of, or consultation with, the Lender).  For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree that unless
          and until a LIBOR Replacement Rate is determined and an amendment to this Agreement is entered into to effect the provisions of this Section 3.3(d), if the circumstances under clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 3.3(d) exist, the provisions of
          Section 3.3(a) and 3.3(c) shall apply.”

         

        
          3

          
            

        

        2.5         Amendment to Section 7.7 of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section 7.7 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
          Section 7.7 in its entirety and substituting the following Section 7.7 in its place:

         

        “7.7         Dividends and Related Distributions.

         

        (a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to make or pay, any dividend or other distribution of any
          nature (whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of capital stock, partnership interests or limited liability company interests or on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or
          acquisition of its shares of capital stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor), partnership interests or limited liability company interests, except dividends or other distributions payable by the Company to its members holding limited
          liability company interests with respect to any fiscal year of the Company; provided, that (i) the aggregate amount of such payments with respect to any fiscal year of the Company does not exceed 50% of the net income of the Company for such
          fiscal year, (ii) the Company has delivered its audited financial statements for such fiscal year to Agent in accordance with Section 6.1(b) and (iii) no Event of Default or Default has occurred or would result therefrom.

         

        (b)         Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 7.7(a), the Company shall be permitted to make or pay additional dividends or other distributions to its members holding limited
          liability company interests; provided, that (i) the Company has delivered its audited financial statements for the most recently-completed fiscal year to Agent in accordance with Section 6.1(b), (ii) no Event of Default or Default has occurred or
          would result therefrom (on a pro-forma basis after giving effect to any dividend or other distribution proposed to be made pursuant to this Section 7.7(b)), (iii) the net income of the Company was $1 or more for the most recently-completed fiscal
          year, (iv) the Company reasonably projects that the net income of the Company will be $1 or more for the then-current fiscal year and (v) the Working Capital of the Company was $30,000,000 or more as of the last day of the most recently-reported
          fiscal year, is $30,000,000 or more as of the time any dividend or other distribution is proposed to be made pursuant to this Section 7.7(b) and will be $30,000,000 or more immediately after any dividend or other distribution is actually made
          pursuant to this Section 7.7(b).

         

        
          4

          
            

        

        (c)        Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 7.7(a), SIRE DISC, Inc. shall be permitted to make or pay dividends or other distributions to the Company.

         

        (d)         Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 7.7(a) and (b), the Company shall be permitted to repurchase Class C and Class A membership units of the Company owned by ICM
          Investments, Inc. for the amount of $11,093,146 (the “ICM Unit Repurchase”) and to use proceeds from the
            Term Loan and/or the Revolving Term Loan for such purpose.”

         

        2.6          Amendment to Article 8 of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Article 8 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Article 8
          in its entirety and substituting the following Article 8 in its place:

         

        “ARTICLE 8       Financial Covenants.

         

        8.1          Working Capital.  The Company will maintain the Working Capital of the Consolidated Group at not less than
          $20,000,000, measured as of the last day of each calendar month.

         

        8.2          [Intentionally Omitted].

         

        8.3          Debt Service Coverage Ratio.  The Company will not permit the Debt Service Coverage Ratio of the Consolidated
          Group to be less than 1.20 to 1.00, measured as of the last day of each fiscal year of the Company.”

         

        2.7         Amendment to Section A of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section A of Annex A of the
          Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the following defined terms and substituting the following defined terms in their place:

         

        ““Debt Service Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the following (all as calculated for the most recently
          completed fiscal year in accordance with GAAP consistently applied): (1) net income (after taxes), plus any amount which, in the determination of net income, has been deducted for depreciation and amortization expense and any non-recurring
          non-cash charges, losses or expenses approved by Agent, minus any amount which, in the determination of net income, has been added for any non-cash income or gains (including non-cash income or gains on dividends received) and any extraordinary,
          unusual or non-recurring income or gains (including income or gains on asset sales); divided by (2) $7,500,000.”

         

        ““LIBOR Index Rate” means a 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) per annum equal at all times to the LIBOR Index Spread plus the higher of:
          (a) zero percent (0.000%); or (b) 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 on 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 shall be reset automatically, without the necessity of notice being provided to the Company or any other party, on the first “U.S. Banking Day” of
          each succeeding week, and each change in the rate shall be applicable to all balances subject to this option. Information about the then-current rate shall be made available upon telephonic request.  For purposes hereof: (1) “U.S. Banking Day”
          shall mean a day on which Agent is open for business and banks are open for business in New York, New York; (2) “Eurocurrency Liabilities” shall have the meaning as set forth in “FRB Regulation D”; and (3) “FRB Regulation D” shall mean Regulation
          D as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 CFR Part 204, as amended.”

         

        
          5

          
            

        

        ““LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to the Loans to which the LIBOR Option applies for any Interest Period, a fixed annual rate equal to the LIBOR Rate
          Spread plus (i) the higher of: (a) zero percent (0.000%); or (b) the rate of interest determined by Agent at which deposits in U.S. dollars for the relevant Interest Period are offered based on information published by Bloomberg Information
          Services (or on 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) as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day which is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, divided by (ii) a number equal to 1.0 minus the aggregate (but without
          duplication) of the rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on the day which is two (2) Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as
          “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) which are required to be maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System (including, basic, supplemental, marginal, and emergency
          reserves under any regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other Official Body having jurisdiction with respect thereto, as now and from time to time in effect) (as in effect on any day, the “LIBOR Reserve
          Percentage”); such rate to be rounded upward to the next whole multiple of 0.01 percent.  The LIBOR Rate may also be expressed by the following formula:

         

        

        
          	 	 	
                  London interbank offered rates presented by

                	 
	 	 	 	 
	LIBOR Rate	=	Reuters Screen LIBOR01 page or appropriate substitute	 
	
                   

                	
                   

                	
                   

                	 
	
                   

                	
                   

                	1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage	 

        

        

        The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Loan to which the LIBOR Option applies that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage as of such effective date.  Agent
          shall provide notice to the Company of the LIBOR Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company absent manifest error.”

         

        2.8         Amendment to Section A of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section A of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended
          by adding the following defined terms in alphabetical order:

         

        “ICM Unit Repurchase” is defined in Section 7.7(d).

         

        “LIBOR Replacement Rate” is defined in Section 3.3(d).

         

        “LIBOR Scheduled Unavailability Date” is defined in Section 3.3(d).

         

        “Effective Prime Rate” means the Prime Rate plus a spread of 0.25% per annum.

         

        “Prime Rate” means a variable rate of interest per annum equal to the “U.S. prime rate” as reported on such day in the Money
            Rates Section of the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal, or if the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal is not published on such day, such rate as last published in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal. In the event the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal ceases to publish such rate or an equivalent on a regular basis, the Administrative Agent shall notify the
          Borrower and the Agent and the Company will agree upon a substitute regularly published average prime rate to be used to determine the “Prime Rate”.  Any change in Prime Rate shall be automatic, without the necessity of notice provided to the
          Borrower or any other Obligor.

         

        
          6

          
            

        

        2.9         Amendment to Section A of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section A of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended
          by deleting the defined term “Local Net Worth” in its entirety.

         

        2.10       Amendment to Section C of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Section C of Annex A of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
          deleting Section C of Annex A in its entirety and substituting the following Section C of Annex A in its place:

         

        “C.         Accounting Principles.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial
          matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the
          meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP; provided, however, that all accounting terms used in Article 8 (and all defined terms used in the definition of any accounting term used in such Article) shall have the meaning given to such terms (and
          defined terms) under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the Statements referred to in Article 5.  In the event of any change after the date hereof in GAAP, and if such change would
          affect the computation of any of the financial covenants set forth in Article 8, then the parties hereto agree to endeavor, in good faith, to agree upon an amendment to this Agreement that would adjust such financial covenants in a manner that
          would preserve the original intent thereof, but would allow compliance therewith to be determined in accordance with the Company’s financial statements at that time, provided that, until so amended, such financial covenants shall continue to be
          computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein.  Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to
          herein shall be made, without giving effect to any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would
          require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use ) as a Capital Lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2017.”

         

        2.11       Amendment to Compliance Certificate Exhibit.  Exhibit C to the Existing Credit Agreement has been amended and restated in its entirety and is
          in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

         

        ARTICLE 3         Representations and Warranties.

         

        In order to induce Lender and CoBank to make the amendments provided for in Article 2, the Company hereby (a) represents and warrants that (i) each of the representations and warranties of the
          Company contained in the Existing Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except that such representations and warranties (A) that relate solely to an earlier
          date shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date and (B) shall be true and correct in all respects to the extent they are qualified by a materiality standard and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and
          is continuing; and (b) agrees that the incorrectness in any respect of any representation and warranty contained in the preceding clause (a) shall constitute an immediate Event of Default. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company hereby (x)
          ratifies and confirms all of the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in the Loan Documents and hereby agrees that it remains unconditionally liable to Lender and CoBank in accordance with the respective terms, covenants and conditions set
          forth in the Loan Documents, and all Collateral in favor of Lender and CoBank continues unimpaired and in full force and effect, and (y) waives all defense, claims, counterclaims, rights of recoupment or set-off against any of its obligations.

         

        
          7

          
            

        

        ARTICLE 4         Conditions to Effectiveness.

         

        This Agreement shall become effective on such date (the “Effective Date”) when the following conditions have been satisfied:

         

        4.1         Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Company pursuant to Article 3 as of the Effective Date shall be
          true and correct.

         

        4.2         Notes.  CoBank shall have received a duly executed First Amended and Restated Term Note and First Amended and Restated Revolving Term Note.

         

        4.3         Legal Opinion.  A written opinion of counsel for the Company, dated no later than the Effective Date, in form and substance and from counsel
          reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

         

        4.4         Other Requests. CoBank shall have received such other certificates, instruments, documents, agreements, information and reports as may be
          requested by CoBank, in form and substance satisfactory to CoBank.

         

        4.5         Payment of Fees and Expenses.  The Company shall have paid all fees and expenses of CoBank and the Lending Parties, if any, payable on or
          before the Effective Date as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including the fees described in the fee letter executed between the Company and CoBank in connection with this Agreement.

         

        ARTICLE 5         Miscellaneous.

         

        5.1         Loan Document Pursuant to Existing Credit Agreement.   This Agreement is a Loan Document executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement.
          Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the representations, warranties, terms, covenants and conditions contained in the Existing Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document shall remain unamended and otherwise unmodified and in full force
          and effect.

         

        5.2         Limitation of Amendments.    The amendments set forth in Article 2 shall be limited precisely as provided for herein and shall not be deemed
          to be a waiver of, amendment of, consent to or modification of any other term or provision of the Existing Credit Agreement or any term or provision of any other Loan Document or of any transaction or further or future action on the part of the
          Company which would require the consent of CoBank under the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         

        5.3         Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each
          of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by CoBank and when CoBank shall have received counterparts
          hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or email shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed
          counterpart of this Agreement.

         

        5.4         Incorporation of Existing Credit Agreement Provisions. The provisions of Article 11 of the Existing Credit Agreement shall apply to this
          Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

         

        
          8

          
            

        

        [Signature Pages Follow]

         

        
          9

          
            

        

        [SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT]

         

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their Authorized Officers, have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

         

        	 	
                COMPANY:

              
	 	 
	 	
                SOUTHWEST IOWA RENEWABLE ENERGY, LLC

              
	 	 
	 	
                By:  

              	 /s/ Brett L. Frevert
	 	
                Name:

                

              	Brett L. Frevert 

              
	 	
                Title:

                

              	Chief Financial Officer 

              

        

        

        	 	
                Notice Address for the Company:

              
	 	 
	 	
                Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC

              
	 	
                10868 189th Street

              
	 	
                Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503

              
	 	
                Attention:

                

              	Brett Frevert 

              
	 	
                Fax  No.:

                

              	(712) 366-0394 

              
	 	
                Email Address: Brett.Frevert@sireethanol.com

              

        

        

        
          10

          
            

        

        [SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT]

         

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their Authorized Officers, have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

         

        	 	
                LENDER:

              
	 	 
	 	
                FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA

              
	 	 
	 	
                By:

                

              	/s/ Brian Frevert
	 	
                Name:

                

              	Brian Frevert
	 	
                Title:

                

              	Vice President

        

        

        	 	
                Notice Address for the Company:

              
	 	 
	 	
                Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA

              
	 	
                5015 S. 118th Street

              
	 	
                Omaha, Nebraska 68137

              
	 	
                Attention:

                

              	Agribusiness Finance 

              
	 	
                Fax  No.:

                

              	(402) 661-3669 

              
	 	
                Email Address: frahmk@fcsamerica.com

              

        

        

        
          11

          
            

        

        [SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT]

         

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their Authorized Officers, have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

         

        	 	
                CASH MANAGEMENT PROVIDER AND AGENT:

              
	 	 
	 	
                COBANK, ACB

              

        	 	 
	 	
                By:

                

              	Tom D. Houser 

              

        	 	
                Name:

                

              	Tom D. Houser 

              
	 	
                Title:

                

              	Vice President 

              

        

        

        	 	
                Notice Address for CoBank:

              
	 	 
	 	
                6340 S. Fiddlers Green Circle

              
	 	
                Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

              
	 	
                Attention:

                

              	Credit Information Services
	 	
                Fax No.: 

                

              	(303) 224-6101 

              
	 	
                Email Address: CIServices@CoBank.com

              

         

        

        
          12

          
            

        

        [GUARANTOR’S CONSENT PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT]

         

        GUARANTOR’S CONSENT

         

        The undersigned SIRE DISC, INC., an Iowa corporation (the “Guarantor”), hereby (a) consents to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (b)
          reaffirms its obligations under that certain Continuing Guarantee dated February 11, 2015 by Guarantor in favor of CoBank, for the benefit of the Lending Parties (the “Continuing Guarantee”), including,
          without limitation, the unconditional guarantee to CoBank, for the benefit of the Lending Parties, of the full and prompt payment of the Indebtedness (as defined in the Continuing Guarantee), whether now existing or hereafter arising, and (c)
          represents and warrants that (i) the Continuing Guarantee continues to constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Guarantor enforceable against Guarantor in accordance with its terms, (ii) there exists no Event of Default or Default
          and (iii) there are no, and shall not be any, defenses to or counterclaims or rights of set-off against any of CoBank’s or the Lending Parties’ rights under the Continuing Guarantee.

         

        	 	
                
                  SIRE DISC, INC.

                

              
	 	 
	 	By:	
                /s/ Brett L. Frevert

              
	 	Name: 

              	
                Brett L. Frevert

              
	 	Title: 

              	
                Chief Financial Officer

              

         

        

        
          13

          
            

        

        EXHIBIT A

         

        Form of First Amended and Restated Term Note

         

        [see attached]

         

        
          
            

        

        EXHIBIT B

         

        Form of First Amended and Restated Revolving Term Note

         

        [see attached]

         

        
          
            

        

        EXHIBIT C

         

        Form of Compliance Certificate

         

        [see attached]

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