SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 8)*
HERON LAKE BIOENERGY, LLC
(Name of Issuer)
Class A and Class B units
(Title of Class of Securities)
None
(CUSIP Number)
Dentons Davis Brown PC
Attn: Bill Hanigan
215 Tenth Street, Suite 1300
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-288-2500
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
September 29, 2021
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box : ☐
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No.: None |
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1. |
Name of Reporting Persons I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Granite Falls Energy, LLC 41-1997390 |
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2. |
Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group |
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(a) |
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(b) |
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3. |
SEC Use Only
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4. |
Source of Funds (See Instructions).
WC, BK, OO |
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5. |
Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
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6. |
Citizenship or Place of Organization
Minnesota |
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: |
7. |
Sole Voting Power
39,475,824* |
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8. |
Shared Voting Power
0 |
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9. |
Sole Dispositive Power
39,475,824* |
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10. |
Shared Dispositive Power
0 |
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11. |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
39,475,824* |
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12. |
Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ☐
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13. |
Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
100.00%* |
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14. |
Type of Reporting Person
00 (LLC) |
*See Item 5 of this Schedule 13D.
CUSIP No.: None |
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1. |
Name of Reporting Persons I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Project Viking, L.L.C. 25-1922419 |
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2. |
Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group |
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(a) |
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(b) |
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3. |
SEC Use Only
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4. |
Source of Funds (See Instructions).
WC, BK, OO |
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5. |
Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ☐
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6. |
Citizenship or Place of Organization
Minnesota |
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: |
7. |
Sole Voting Power
39,420,949* |
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8. |
Shared Voting Power
0 |
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9. |
Sole Dispositive Power
39,420,949* |
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10. |
Shared Dispositive Power
0 |
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11. |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
39,420,949* |
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12. |
Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ☐
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13. |
Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
99.86%* |
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14. |
Type of Reporting Person
00 (LLC) |
*See Item 5 of this Schedule 13D.
Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D
This Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D (this “Amendment”) relates to the beneficial ownership by the Reporting Persons of the units representing interests of Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the “HLBE”) and amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 21, 2008, as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2010, Amendment No. 2 filed with the SEC on December 3, 2010, Amendment No. 3 filed with the SEC on May 25, 2011, Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2013, Amendment No. 5 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2017, Amendment No. 6 filed with the SEC on April 4, 2017, and Amendment No. 7 filed with the SEC on June 28, 2021. The original Schedule 13D and all amendments thereto are collectively referred to as the “Schedule 13D”.
This Amendment is filed by the Reporting Persons in accordance with Rule 13d-2 of the Act, as amended, and refers only to information that has materially changed since the filing of the Schedule 13D. Pursuant to this Amendment, the items identified below, or the particular paragraphs of such items which are identified below, are amended as set forth below. Except as set forth in this Amendment, the Schedule 13D is not being amended and remains in full force. Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings assigned to them in Schedule 13D.
Pursuant to this Amendment, Item 3. Item 4, Item 5, Item 6, and Item 7 are hereby amended as follows:
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
Item 3 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended to remove the following information:
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement (as defined below), Granite Falls Energy, LLC (“GFE”) expects the funding for the Merger (as defined below) described in Item 4 of this Amendment No. 7 (which Item 4 is incorporated herein by reference) will consist of a combination of a long-term revolving loan and two term notes from GFE’s lender as described in Item 4.
Item 3 of Schedule D is hereby amended to add the following information:
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement (as defined below), GFE financed the Merger (as defined below) with a credit facility from its lender, which included an amended and restated credit agreement, a revolving-term loan and two single-advance term notes. The terms and conditions of the credit agreement and related notes are described in Item 1.01 of GFE’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 1, 2021 and attached hereto as Exhibits 7.7, 7.8. 7.9, and 7.10, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.Purpose of Transaction.
The Reporting Persons hereby restate the disclosures contained in Item 4 of the Schedule 13D, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The disclosure in Item 4 is hereby supplemented by adding the following at the end thereof:
The purpose of the transaction is for GFE to become the sole owner of HLBE by acquiring via merger the entire Minority Interest (as defined below) of HLBE, and thereby reduce the risk that HLBE could default on certain loans and be forced to cease operations or seek bankruptcy protection.
On or about March 24, 2021, GFE, and HLBE, executed a merger agreement (“Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which GFE would acquire the minority interest of HLBE (the “Merger”). The structure of the contemplated transaction was a merger in which a wholly owned subsidiary of GFE (the “Merger Sub”) would merge with and into HLBE, with HLBE surviving the transaction as a wholly owned subsidiary of GFE. Prior to the Merger, GFE owned approximately 50.7 percent of the issued and outstanding units of HLBE. Excluding the units owned by GFE, as of the record date of the special meeting held by HLBE for the purpose of voting on the Merger, there were 38,456,283
units of HLBE issued and outstanding (the “Minority Interest”). The purchase price for the entire Minority Interest was $14 million in cash payable at the closing of the Merger. Each issued and outstanding unit of the Minority Interest was canceled and converted into the right to receive $0.36405 per Unit. (the “Merger Consideration”).
In fiscal year 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, HLBE had experienced significant net losses due to several factors, including elevated corn prices, the breakdown of its ethanol plant’s boiler, and reduced demand for ethanol due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to these net losses, HLBE violated certain loan covenants related to working capital and net worth ratio, for which the HLBE obtained waivers from its lender. HLBE was in violation of such loan covenants as of October 31, 2020, and January 31, 2021. As a result of these loan covenant violations, the HLBE’s auditor reported that as of January 31, 2021, there was substantial doubt about HLBE’s ability to continue operating as a going concern. Due to improved market conditions and operating efficiency, HLBE was in compliance with its debt covenants on April 30, 2021 and July 31, 2021. However, it was possible that HLBE would incur future instances of loan covenant violations and that the HLBE’s lender would not provide a waiver for such violations. Additional loan covenant violations would have allowed HLBE’s lender to accelerate certain loans and designate a substantial portion of HLBE’s debt due and payable. If HLBE’s loans became due and payable, there was a substantial risk HLBE would have lacked the cash on hand, borrowing capacity, and cash flows to repay the debt, and if that had occurred, HLBE could have been forced to cease operations or seek bankruptcy protection. If HLBE were forced to cease operations or seek bankruptcy protection, HLBE’s unitholders could have lost all or a substantial portion of their investment in HLBE. GFE’s management believed GFE had sufficient working capital and net worth for both GFE and the HLBE to be in compliance with their respective loan covenants if the HLBE were to become a wholly owned subsidiary of GFE.
On September 23, 2021, HLBE held a special meeting of its members, at which a majority in interest of the HLBE’s members and a majority of the HLBE’s minority ownership interest voted to adopt the Merger Agreement and authorize the Merger.
The Merger was effective as of September 29, 2021. HLBE is the surviving entity of the Merger. Upon completion of the Merger, 100% of the membership interests in Merger Sub were converted into and became 100% of the membership interest in HLBE, as the surviving entity in the Merger. As a result of the Merger, HLBE became a wholly owned subsidiary of GFE. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement\, GFE has transferred $14 million to an exchange agent, which will hold such funds in trust to be distributed pro-rata to the Minority Interest unitholders. On September 29, 2021, HLBE and Merger Sub filed Articles of Merger with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
As the sole owner of HLBE, GFE intends to eliminate the HLBE board of governors. GFE’s officers and board of governors will assume managerial and oversight control over HLBE.
HLBE intends to deregister its units with the SEC, including all Class A and Class B units, pursuant to Rule 12g-4(a)(1) of the Act. To effectuate this deregistration, HLBE filed Form 15 with the SEC on October 1, 2021.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement and Plan of Merge, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 7.1 and 7.2, respectively and are incorporated herein by reference, and HLBE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC August 19, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) - (b)The Reporting Persons, collectively, beneficially own the following units of the HLBE as of the September 29, 2021, the effective date of the Merger:
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Class of Units |
Aggregate Number Owned |
Percentage of Class |
Class A Units |
24,475,824 |
100.00% |
Class B Units |
15,000,000 |
100.00% |
Total Units |
39,475,824 |
100.00% |
Project Viking, L.L.C. (“Project Viking”) may be deemed to beneficially own and share the power to vote, direct the vote, dispose or direct the disposition of the 39,420,949 units, comprised of 24,420,949 Class A units and 15,000,000 Class B units of the Issuer, that are beneficially and directly owned by Project Viking. Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Act, GFE may be deemed to beneficially own and have the sole power to vote, direct the vote, dispose or direct the disposition of 39,475,824 units, consisting of 54,875 Class A units beneficially and directly owned by GFE and the 39,420,949 Class A and Class B units beneficially and directly owned by Project Viking by virtue of being the sole holder of 100% of the membership interests of Project Viking.
All information regarding percentage ownership of the Issuer’s units set forth in this Amendment is based on 39,475,824 units of the Issuer issued and outstanding, following the completion of the Merger, consisting of 24,475,824 Class A units and 15,000,000 Class B units, as described in Item 4 of this Schedule 13D.
The individual governors and executive officers of the Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the units that are, or may be deemed to be, beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons. This report shall not be construed as an admission that such persons are the beneficial owners of such units for any purpose.
(c) The Merger, as described in Item 4 of this Schedule 13D, was effective on September 29, 2021. Prior to the Merger, there were 77,932,107 units of HLBE issued an outstanding, of which GFE directly owned or controlled through Project Viking approximately 50.7% or, 39,475,824 units. Upon completion of the Merger, the 38,456,283 units held by the Minority Interest were cancelled and converted into the right to receive $0.36405 per unit. Following the completion of the Merger and the cancellation of the Minority Interest units, there are 39,475,824 units of HLBE issued and outstanding, all of which are owned or controlled by GFE. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger, GFE has transferred $14 million to an exchange agent, which will hold such funds in trust to be distributed pro-rata to unitholders of the Minority Interest. The information set forth in in Item 4 of this Schedule 13D is incorporated herein by reference.
(d)No one other than the Reporting Persons has the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of, dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any of the securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons as described in Item 5.
(e)Not applicable.
Item 6.Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
Item 6 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended to add the following information:
Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger
On March 24, 2021, GFE, HLBE, and Merger Sub executed a Merger Agreement, pursuant to which GFE would acquire the HLBE Minority Interest for $14 million. Additionally, on March 24, 2021, HLBE and Merger sub executed a Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub would merger with an into HLBE, as the surviving entity of the merger, resulting in HLBE being a wholly owned subsidiary of GFE. The Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger are described in Item 4 of this Schedule 13D. References to and descriptions of the Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger are qualified in their entirety by the texts of the Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 7.1 and 7.2, respectively.
Voting Agreements
On March 24, 2021,GFE and each HLBE governor elected by the Minority Interest executed a voting agreement (the “Governors Voting Agreement”) pursuant to which the HLBE governors elected by the Minority Interest agreed to vote their units in favor of the Merger Agreement, recommend the members of HLBE vote for the Merger, and designate HLBE as their proxy for the purpose of voting for the Merger.
Also on March 24, 2021, GFE and HLBE executed a voting agreement (the “GFE Voting Agreement”), pursuant to which GFE agreed to vote its units of HLBE in favor of the Merger and to designate HLBE as its proxy for the purposes of voting for the Merger (collectively, the “Voting Agreements”).
Loan Agreements
On September 27, 2021, GFE and its lender, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, PCA, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, FLCA, executed a credit facility, which included an amended and restated credit agreement and multiple loans intended for fund GFE’s operations, finance GFE’s acquisition of HLBE, and consolidate certain debts of GFE and HLBE. The credit agreement and associated loans are described in Item 3 of this Schedule 13D, are attached hereto as Exhibits 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, and 7.10, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
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7.1 |
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7.2 |
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7.3 |
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7.4 |
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7.5 |
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Definitive Proxy Statement of Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC filed August 19, 2021** |
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7.6 |
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Form 8-K of Granite Falls Energy, LLC dated October 1, 2021*** |
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7.7 |
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7.8 |
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7.9 |
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7.10 |
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* Incorporated by refence to the HLBE’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2021
** Incorporated by reference to the HLBE’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on August 11, 2021.
*** Incorporated by reference to GFE’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 1, 2021.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this Amendment is true, complete and correct.
Dated: October 5, 2021
Granite Falls Energy, LLC
By:/s/ Stacie Schuler
Its: Chief Financial Officer
Project Viking, L.L.C.
By:/s/ Stacie Schuler
Its: Chief Financial Officer
Schedule A
The following tables set forth the name, present principal occupation or employment (along with the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted) and citizenship of each governor and executive officer of Granite Falls Energy, LLC. Except as provided below, the country of citizenship of each governor and executive officer is the United States of America. The business address of each director and executive officer is c/o Granite Falls Energy, LLC, 15045 Highway 23 S.E., Granite Falls, Minnesota 56241. The Address of HLBE is 91246 390th Avenue Heron Lake, Minnesota 56137.
Governors:
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Name |
Principal Occupation or Employment |
Paul Enstad |
Chairman and Governor of GFE and HLBE; farmer |
Rodney Wilkison |
Vice Chairman and Governor of GFE and HLBE; financial consultant, Wilkison Consulting Service, 117 Savannah Heights Blvd., Lynd, MN 56157. |
Dean Buesing |
Secretary and Governor of GFE; Governor of HLBE; farmer; president of Buesing Farms, Inc., 5027 Hwy. 67, Granite Falls, MN 56241. |
Leslie Bergquist |
Governor of GFE and alternate governor of HLBE; farm manager for Fagen Farms, LLP, P.O. Box D, Granite Falls, MN 56241; consultant for Bergquist Consulting Corp., 141 Skyline Drive Granite Falls, MN 56241. |
David Forkrud |
Governor of GFE; retired; part-time employee of Farmer’s Co-op Oil Co., 461 2nd Ave W, Echo, MN 56237. |
Sherry Jean Larson |
Governor of GFE; senior vice president and controller for Independent Community Bankers of America, 518 Lincoln Rd., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. |
Kenton Johnson |
Governor of GFE; Governor of HLBE; farmer; chief executive officer of Prairie View Farms, Inc., 5347 270th Ave. P.O. Box 56, Granite Falls, MN 56241. |
Bruce LaVigne |
Governor of GFE; Managing Director of Red Lake Resources, Ltd., president of Boundary Waters Land and Timber, Limited, and Chief Executive Officer of Secluded Properties Limited, that address for all of which is P.O. Box 597, Ranier, MN 56668. Mr. Lavigne has dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. |
Robin Spaude |
Governor of GFE; Governor of HLBE; retired. |
Martin Seifert |
Alternate Governor of GFE and HLBE; lobbyist with Flaherty and Hood, P.A., 525 Park St., St. Paul, MN 55103. |
Executive Officers:
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Name |
Principal Occupation or Employment |
Jeffrey Oestmann |
Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of GFE and HLBE |
Stacie Schuler |
Chief Financial Officer of GFE and HLBE |
Agreement No. 00079054SLA-C
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ______________________________ is entered into by and between Granite Falls Energy, LLC, Granite Falls, Minnesota, a limited liability company (the “Borrower”), and AgCountry Farm Credit Services, PCA, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, FLCA, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“Lender”).
RECITALS
(A)The Borrower and Lender are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, as amended, dated as of September 27, 2018 (the “Existing Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Existing Agreement, the parties entered into one or more Promissory Notes thereunder (the “Existing Promissory Note(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), 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:
(a) | railroad leases. |
(b) | leases with Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation. |
(c) | railcar leases provided however, such leases will not exceed an initial or extended term of 120 months. |
(d) | other leases which do not in the aggregate require the Borrower or any Subsidiary to make scheduled payments to the lessors in any fiscal year of the Borrower in excess of $100,000.00. |
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SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their duly authorized officers, have executed this Agreement.
Granite Falls Energy, LLC |
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SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their duly authorized officers, have executed this Agreement.
AgCountry Farm Credit Services, PCA |
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services, FLCA |
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SCHEDULE 5.0 - Subsidiaries
Agreement No. 00079054SLA-C
Project Viking, L.L.C.
Loan No. 00079054T05
Single Advance Term PROMISSORY NOTE
THIS Single Advance Term PROMISSORY NOTE (this “Promissory Note”) to the Credit Agreement dated ____________________ (such agreement, as may be amended, hereinafter referred to as the “Credit Agreement”), is entered into as of ______________________ between AGCOUNTRY FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“Lender”) and Granite Falls Energy, LLC, Granite Falls, Minnesota, 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.
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 telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00 p.m. Denver, Colorado time. 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”).
In addition to the above, the Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loan at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.
then Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until Agent notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (a) any request to convert any loan to, or continue any LIBOR Rate loan at, a LIBOR Rate shall be ineffective, and (b) the Agent shall, after consultation but without the consent of the Borrower, select an alternate rate of interest to apply to any and all balances upon the expiration of the interest period applicable thereto, which rate of interest shall be commercially reasonable and generally consistent with the then-prevailing market convention, if any, for replacement of a LIBOR Rate in bilateral loan transactions.
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
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).
Granite Falls Energy, LLC |
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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).
AGCOUNTRY FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA |
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Loan No. 00079054T06
Single Advance Term PROMISSORY NOTE
THIS Single Advance Term PROMISSORY NOTE (this “Promissory Note”) to the Credit Agreement dated ____________________ (such agreement, as may be amended, hereinafter referred to as the “Credit Agreement”), is entered into as of ______________________ between AGCOUNTRY FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“Lender”) and Granite Falls Energy, LLC, Granite Falls, Minnesota, 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.
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 semi-annual in arrears by the 20th day of each June and December or on such other day as Agent will require in a written notice to the Borrower (“Interest Payment Date”).
In addition to the above, the Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loan at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
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).
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Granite Falls Energy, LLC |
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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).
AGCOUNTRY FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA |
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Loan No. 00079054T04-A
AMENDED AND RESTATED Revolving Term PROMISSORY NOTE
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED Revolving Term PROMISSORY NOTE (this “Promissory Note”) to the Credit Agreement dated ____________________ (such agreement, as may be amended, hereinafter referred to as the “Credit Agreement”), is entered into as of ______________________ between AgCountry Farm Credit Services, FLCA, a federally-chartered instrumentality of the United States (“Lender”) and Granite Falls Energy, LLC, Granite Falls, Minnesota, 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 Promissory Note numbered 00079054T04, dated as of September 30, 2020, between Lender and the Borrower.
will continue to be subject to such rates for the remaining agreed upon fixed rate periods but will otherwise be subject to the terms hereof.
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 telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00
p.m. Denver, Colorado time. 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”).
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.
then Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until Agent notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (a) any request to convert any loan to, or continue any LIBOR Rate loan at, a LIBOR Rate shall be ineffective, and (b) the Agent shall, after consultation but without the consent of the Borrower, select an alternate rate of interest to apply to any and all balances upon the expiration of the interest period applicable thereto, which rate of interest shall be commercially reasonable and generally consistent with the then-prevailing market convention, if any, for replacement of a LIBOR Rate in bilateral loan transactions.
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
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).
Granite Falls Energy, LLC |
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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).
AgCountry Farm Credit Services, FLCA |
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LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
For Executing Forms 3, Forms 4 and Forms 5, Form 144 and Schedule 13D and 13G
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned do hereby constitutes and appoints each of Steve Christensen and Stacie Schuler, or either of them acting singly and with full power of substitution, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:
1. execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, (a) Forms 3, 4 and 5 (and any amendments thereto) in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder (the “Exchange Act”), (b) Schedule 13D (including amendments thereto) in accordance with Sections 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and (c) any joint filing agreement in connection with the preceding clauses (a)-(b);
2. do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form 3, Form 4, Form 5, or Schedule 13D, complete and execute any amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including without limitation the filing of a Form ID or any other documents necessary or appropriate to enable the undersigned to file the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and Schedule 13DF electronically with the SEC; and
3. take any other action in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by or for, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such information and disclosure as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever required, necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.
The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request and on the behalf of the undersigned, are not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned’s responsibilities to comply with, or any liability for the failure to comply with, any provision of the Exchange Act.
This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 or Schedule 13D with respect to the undersigned’s holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Limited Power of Attorney as of this 3rd day of April, 2017.
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Signed and acknowledged: Project Viking, L.L.C. /s/ Paul Enstad |
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Paul Enstad, its Director and Chairman |