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8-K - FORM 8-K - ITC DELTACOM INCd8k.htm
EX-4.1 - EXHIBIT 4.1 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex41.htm
EX-4.2 - EXHIBIT 4.2 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex42.htm
EX-4.4 - EXHIBIT 4.4 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex44.htm
EX-4.3 - EXHIBIT 4.3 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex43.htm
EX-99 - EXHIBIT 99 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex99.htm
EX-10.2 - EXHIBIT 10.2 - ITC DELTACOM INCdex102.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

April 9, 2010

among

ITC^DELTACOM, INC.,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH

as Administrative Agent

 

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Sole Bookrunner and Lead Arranger

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

     Page
ARTICLE I
Definitions

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms

   1

SECTION 1.02.  Terms Generally

   25

SECTION 1.03.  Pro Forma Calculations

   25

SECTION 1.04.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings

   26
ARTICLE II
The Credits

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments

   26

SECTION 2.02.  Loans

   26

SECTION 2.03.  Borrowing Procedure

   28

SECTION 2.04.  Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans

   29

SECTION 2.05.  Fees

   29

SECTION 2.06.  Interest on Loans

   30

SECTION 2.07.  Default Interest

   31

SECTION 2.08.  Alternate Rate of Interest

   31

SECTION 2.09.  Termination and Reduction of Commitments

   31

SECTION 2.10.  Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings

   32

SECTION 2.11.  RESERVED

   33

SECTION 2.12.  Optional Prepayment

   33

SECTION 2.13.  Mandatory Prepayments

   34

SECTION 2.14.  Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances

   34

SECTION 2.15.  Change in Legality

   35

SECTION 2.16.  Indemnity

   36

SECTION 2.17.  Pro Rata Treatment

   37

SECTION 2.18.  Sharing of Setoffs

   37

SECTION 2.19.  Payments

   38

SECTION 2.20.  Taxes

   38

SECTION 2.21.  Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate

   41

SECTION 2.22.  Swingline Loans

   42

SECTION 2.23.  Letters of Credit

   44
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers

   48

 

i


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

     Page

SECTION 3.02.  Authorization

   48

SECTION 3.03.  Enforceability

   49

SECTION 3.04.  Governmental Approvals

   49

SECTION 3.05.  Financial Statements

   49

SECTION 3.06.  No Material Adverse Change

   50

SECTION 3.07.  Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases

   50

SECTION 3.08.  Subsidiaries

   51

SECTION 3.09.  Litigation; Compliance with Laws

   51

SECTION 3.10.  Agreements

   51

SECTION 3.11.  Federal Reserve Regulations

   51

SECTION 3.12.  Investment Company Act

   51

SECTION 3.13.  Use of Proceeds

   51

SECTION 3.14.  Tax Returns

   52

SECTION 3.15.  No Material Misstatements

   52

SECTION 3.16.  Employee Benefit Plans

   52

SECTION 3.17.  Environmental Matters

   52

SECTION 3.18.  Insurance

   53

SECTION 3.19.  Security Documents

   53

SECTION 3.20.  Location of Real Property and Leased Premises

   54

SECTION 3.21.  Labor Matters

   54

SECTION 3.22.  Solvency

   55

SECTION 3.23.  Sanctioned Persons

   55
ARTICLE IV
Conditions of Lending

SECTION 4.01.  All Credit Events

   55

SECTION 4.02.  First Credit Event

   56
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants

SECTION 5.01.  Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and Properties

   59

SECTION 5.02.  Insurance

   60

SECTION 5.03.  Taxes and Claims

   61

SECTION 5.04.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc.

   61

SECTION 5.05.  Litigation and Other Notices

   63

SECTION 5.06.  Information Regarding Collateral

   64

SECTION 5.07.  Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings

   64

SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds

   64

SECTION 5.09.  Employee Benefits

   65

SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Environmental Laws

   65

 

ii


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

     Page

SECTION 5.11.  Preparation of Environmental Reports

   65

SECTION 5.12.  Further Assurances

   65
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness

   66

SECTION 6.02.  Liens

   69

SECTION 6.03.  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

   72

SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans and Advances

   72

SECTION 6.05.  Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions

   74

SECTION 6.06.  Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements

   75

SECTION 6.07.  Transactions with Affiliates

   77

SECTION 6.08.  Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries

   77

SECTION 6.09.  Other Indebtedness and Agreements

   77

SECTION 6.10.  Interest Coverage Ratio

   78

SECTION 6.11.  Maximum Leverage Ratio

   78

SECTION 6.12.  Fiscal Year

   78

SECTION 6.13.  Certain Equity Securities

   78
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01.  Notices; Electronic Communications

   85

SECTION 9.02.  Survival of Agreement

   88

SECTION 9.03.  Binding Effect

   88

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns

   88

SECTION 9.05.  Expenses; Indemnity

   92

SECTION 9.06.  Right of Setoff

   94

SECTION 9.07.  Applicable Law

   94

SECTION 9.08.  Waivers; Amendment

   94

SECTION 9.09.  Interest Rate Limitation

   96

SECTION 9.10.  Entire Agreement

   96

 

iii


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

     Page

SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

   96

SECTION 9.12.  Severability

   96

SECTION 9.13.  Counterparts

   97

SECTION 9.14.  Headings

   97

SECTION 9.15.  Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

   97

SECTION 9.16.  Confidentiality

   98

SECTION 9.17.  USA PATRIOT Act Notice

   98

SECTION 9.18.  Application of Proceeds

   99

SECTION 9.19.  Lender Action

   99

 

iv


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

SCHEDULES

     

Schedule 1.01(a)

   -    Guarantors

Schedule 1.01(b)

   -    Mortgaged Property

Schedule 1.01(c)

   -    Competitors

Schedule 1.01(d)

   -    Southern Assets

Schedule 1.01(e)

   -    Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 2.01

   -    Lenders and Commitments

Schedule 3.04

   -    Governmental Approvals

Schedule 3.06

   -    Disclosed Matters

Schedule 3.08

   -    Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.09

   -    Litigation

Schedule 3.14

   -    Tax Returns

Schedule 3.17

   -    Environmental Matters

Schedule 3.18

   -    Insurance

Schedule 3.19(a)

   -    UCC Filing Offices

Schedule 3.19(c)

   -    Mortgage Filing Offices

Schedule 3.20(a)

   -    Owned Real Property

Schedule 3.20(b)

   -    Leased Real Property

Schedule 4.02(a)

   -    Local Counsel

Schedule 5.12

   -    Post-Closing Agreements

Schedule 6.01

   -    Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02

   -    Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04

   -    Existing Investments

Schedule 6.05

   -    Asset Sales

Schedule 6.07

   -    Affiliate Transactions

EXHIBITS

     

Exhibit A

   -    Form of Administrative Questionnaire

Exhibit B

   -    Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit C

   -    Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit D

   -    Form of Security Agreement

Exhibit E

   -    Form of Guarantee Agreement

Exhibit F

   -    Form of First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit G

   -    Form of Mortgage

Exhibit H-1

   -    Form of Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP

Exhibit H-2

   -    Form of Local Counsel Opinion

 

v


CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 9, 2010, among ITC^DELTACOM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (as defined in Article I), and CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders.

The Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the form of Revolving Loans at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $30,000,000. The Borrower has requested the Swingline Lender to extend credit, at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, in the form of Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $2,500,000. The Borrower has requested the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit, in an aggregate face amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $5,000,000, to support payment obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans are to be used solely for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, including Capital Expenditures and Permitted Acquisitions.

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower, and the Issuing Bank is willing to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the product of (i) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period and (ii) Statutory Reserves.

Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A, or such other form as may be supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent.


Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.07, the term “Affiliate” shall also include any person that directly or indirectly owns 10% or more of the Voting Stock of the person specified. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) Affiliates of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe shall include Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P., WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P., WCAS VIII Associates, LLC and WCAS CP III Associates, LLC and (b) Affiliates of Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC shall include Special Value Opportunities Fund, LLC, Special Value Expansion Fund, LLC, Special Value Continuation Partners, LP, Special Value Absolute Return Fund, LLC, Special Value Bond Fund II, LLC and Tennenbaum Opportunities Partners V, LP.

Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure” shall mean the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures.

Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such day for a three-month Interest Period commencing on such day plus 1%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11 a.m. (London time) by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates). If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition of Federal Funds Effective Rate, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) or (c), as applicable, of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, as the case may be.

Applicable Percentage” shall mean, for any day (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Revolving Loan, 4.50% per annum, and (b) with respect to any ABR Revolving Loan, 3.50% per annum.

Asset Sale” shall mean the sale, transfer or other disposition (by way of merger, casualty, condemnation or otherwise) by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any person other than the Borrower or any Guarantor of (a) any Equity Interests of any of the Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or (b) any other assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than (i) inventory or other operating assets (such as fiber or ducts) sold, leased or exchanged in the ordinary course of business, (ii) assets that are damaged, obsolete or worn out or scrap, (iii) leasehold interests that are

 

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no longer used or useful in the business of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, (iv) dispositions by means of trade-in of equipment used in the ordinary course of business, so long as such equipment is replaced, substantially concurrently, by like-kind equipment, (v) cash and Permitted Investments, in each case disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (vi) dispositions between or among Foreign Subsidiaries, (vii) Southern Assets and (viii) sales, transfers or other dispositions having a value not in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year (provided, that, for purposes of calculating the amounts set forth in this clause (viii), any transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate consideration of $100,000 or less may be excluded)).

Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Bank Obligations” shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Bank Secured Parties under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, and (d) the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of each Loan Party under each Hedging Agreement with a Hedge Provider.

Bank Secured Parties” shall mean (a) the Lenders, (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) the Collateral Agent, (d) any Issuing Bank, (e) each Hedge Provider, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (g) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Benefit Plan Exchange Offer” shall mean any transaction in which the Borrower acquires and/or retires Equity Plan Securities in exchange for other Equity Plan Securities.

Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

3


Board Designees” shall mean individuals whose nomination for election, appointment or election as directors of the Borrower is effectuated pursuant to the Governance Agreement.

Borrowing” shall mean (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.

Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP, whether such additions or expenditures are paid in cash or financed, but excluding (i) any such expenditure made to restore, replace or rebuild property to the condition of such property immediately prior to any damage, loss, destruction or condemnation of such property, to the extent such expenditure is made with insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such damage, loss, destruction or condemnation, (ii) expenditures for transactions permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(i)) and (iii) amounts reinvested in accordance with the definition of Net Cash Proceeds. For purposes of this definition, the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment or with insurance proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount of such purchase price less the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or the amount of such proceeds, as the case may be.

Capital Lease Obligations” of any person shall mean the obligations of such person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred on any date if (a) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Permitted Investors becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange

 

4


Act) of more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower on a Fully Diluted Basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower, on a Fully Diluted Basis, than the percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower, on a Fully Diluted Basis, beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act) by the Permitted Investors on such date, (b) individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the board of directors of the Borrower (together with any new directors whose appointment by the board of directors of the Borrower or whose nomination by the board of directors of the Borrower for election by the stockholders of the Borrower was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office who either were members of the board of directors on the Closing Date or whose appointment or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Borrower then in office or (c) any change in control (or similar event, however denominated) with respect to the Borrower shall occur under and as defined in any indenture or agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness to which the Borrower is a party. For purposes of clause (b) of this definition, all Board Designees shall be deemed to be members of the board of directors of the Borrower whose appointment or nomination for election was approved in the manner specified in such clause (b).

Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.14, by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date.

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment or Swingline Commitment.

Closing Date” shall mean April 9, 2010.

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties.

Collateral Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents, and any successor thereto.

 

5


Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and Swingline Commitment.

Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

Competitor” shall mean any person identified on Schedule 1.01(c) (or any Affiliate thereof), as such Schedule may be updated from time to time by written notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to include any other person (or any known Affiliate thereof) that engages primarily, or as one of its principal activities, in the business of providing competitive local exchange telecommunications services to business customers.

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period (without giving effect to Net Transaction Costs or any extraordinary gains or losses) plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest expense for such period (including amortization of deferred financing fees and other original issue discount and banking fees, charges and commissions, including letter of credit fees and commitment fees), (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period (including state single business unitary and similar taxes imposed in lieu of income taxes), (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) non-cash charges for such period for asset impairment charges and other similar write-offs of long-term assets, restructuring charges, costs of exiting a facility and charges associated with equity compensation, and (v) any cash received in the current period associated with any amounts previously excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (b)(ii) below, and minus (b) without duplication (i) cash payments made during such period on account of non-cash charges added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (a)(iv) above in a previous period (excluding cash payments made for non-cash charges incurred prior to the Closing Date) and (ii) to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, non-cash gains on sales or other dispositions of assets for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, the sum of (a) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP; provided that Consolidated Interest Expense shall not include expenses for amortization of deferred financing or debt issuance costs or original issue discount. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate Hedging Agreements.

 

6


Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the net income or loss of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by the Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary, (b) the income of any person in which any other person (other than the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in accordance with applicable law) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary by such person during such period, (c) any gains attributable to sales of assets out of the ordinary course of business and (d) any income or loss attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness.

Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01.

Credit Facilities” shall mean the revolving credit, swingline, and letter of credit facilities provided for by this Agreement.

Default” shall mean any event or condition which upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” shall mean any Revolving Credit Lender that has (a) defaulted in its obligation to make a Revolving Loan or to fund its participation in a Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan required to be made or funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party in writing that it does not intend to satisfy any such obligations or (c) become insolvent or the assets or management of which has been taken over by any Governmental Authority.

Disclosed Matter” shall mean the existence or occurrence of any matter which has been disclosed by the Borrower (a) on Schedule 3.06 hereto, or (b) in any filing on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K made with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 9, 2010.

Disqualified Stock” shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable (other than for Qualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than for Qualified Capital Stock), in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled cash payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.

 

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dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiaries” shall mean all Subsidiaries incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Eligible Assignee shall mean any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other entity (but not any natural person) that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that extends credit or invests in bank loans as one of its businesses; provided that (a) neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries nor (b) any Competitor shall be an Eligible Assignee.

Environmental Laws” shall mean all former, current and future Federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), treaties, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, legally binding directives and orders (including consent orders), in each case, relating to protection of the environment, natural resources, human health and safety or the presence, Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, or the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport, recycling or handling of, or the arrangement for such activities with respect to, Hazardous Materials.

Environmental Liability” shall mean all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages and remediation costs), whether contingent or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract or agreement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests” shall mean shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity interests in any person, and any option, warrant or other right entitling the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire any such equity interest.

Equity Plan” shall mean any stock option, restricted stock, stock incentive, employee stock purchase, deferred compensation, profit sharing, defined benefit, defined contribution or other benefit plan of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the related award agreements under each such plan.

Equity Plan Securities” shall mean any Equity Interests of the Borrower awarded, granted, sold or issued pursuant to any Equity Plan.

 

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ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, in each case whether or not waived, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA, of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code), (e) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (f) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA, (h) the occurrence of a “prohibited transaction” with respect to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a “disqualified person” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) or with respect to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary could otherwise be liable or (i) any other event or condition with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan that could result in liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Events of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the

 

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jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above and (c) in the case of a Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.21(a)), any withholding tax (including pursuant to FATCA) that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to any law enacted at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Sections 2.20(e) and 2.20(f), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.20(a).

Existing Debt” shall mean, collectively, all obligations due or outstanding under or in connection with (a) the existing first lien credit agreement dated as of July 31, 2007, as amended, among the Borrower, Interstate Fibernet, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and (b) the existing second lien credit agreement dated as of July 31, 2007, as amended, among the Borrower, Interstate Fibernet, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

Existing Debt Refinancing” shall mean the repayment in full and termination of the Existing Debt and the irrevocable release of all Guarantees thereof and security therefor.

Existing Letter of Credit” shall mean each letter of credit previously issued for the account of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) is outstanding on the Closing Date and (b) is listed on Schedule 1.01(e).

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any regulations thereunder or official governmental interpretations thereof.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Federal Stimulus Grant Funds” shall mean any proceeds awarded to the Borrower or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries by the United States Department of Commerce or any other federal governmental agency pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or other similar legislation.

Fees” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the Administrative Agent Fees, the L/C Participation Fees and the Issuing Bank Fees.

 

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Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such person.

Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fully Diluted Basis” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the number of shares of Voting Stock outstanding as of such date of determination plus (b) the number of shares of Voting Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of all then-outstanding warrants, options, convertible capital stock or indebtedness, exchangeable capital stock or indebtedness, or other rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, shares of Voting Stock, whether at the time of issue or upon the passage of time or upon the occurrence of some future event, and whether or not in the money as of such date of determination.

GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

Governance Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Governance Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2005 and as amended through the Closing Date, among the Borrower, WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P., Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P., WCAS Information Partners, L.P., Special Value Absolute Bond Fund II, LLC, Special Value Absolute Return Fund, LLC, and the other parties thereto, from time to time, as amended.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

Guarantee” of or by any person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such

 

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Guarantee is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for which such person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument evidencing such Guarantee) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such person is required to perform thereunder), as determined by such person in good faith.

Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Bank Secured Parties.

Guarantor” shall mean (a) any Parent required to provide a Parent Guarantee pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and (b) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a), and each other Subsidiary that is or becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement.

Hazardous Materials” shall mean (a) any petroleum products or byproducts and all other hydrocarbons, radon gas, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances and (b) any chemical, material, substance or waste that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedging Agreement” shall mean any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

Hedge Provider” shall mean each counterparty to any Hedging Agreement with a Loan Party that either (i) is in effect on the Closing Date if such counterparty is the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender as of the Closing Date or (ii) is entered into after the Closing Date if such counterparty is the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender at the time such Hedging Agreement is entered into, even if, in each case, the respective Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender subsequently ceases for any reason to be the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender.

Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person, (e) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such person of Indebtedness of others,

 

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(h) all Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such person, (i) all reimbursement obligations of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and (j) all reimbursement obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner, except to the extent that contractual provisions binding on the holder of such Indebtedness provide that such person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indebtedness of Southern shall be deemed not to be Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries solely by virtue of the existence of the Southern Liens.

Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the grantors party thereto and each additional representative from time to time party thereto.

Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.

Interest Payment Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including any Swingline Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing.

Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period and (c) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the maturity date of such Loan. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

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Issuing Bank” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) Credit Suisse AG, acting through any of its Affiliates or branches, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) with respect to each Existing Letter of Credit, the Lender that issued such Existing Letter of Credit and (c) any other Lender that may become an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.23(i) or 2.23(k), with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Lender. The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates or branches of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate or branch with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate or branch.

Issuing Bank Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

L/C Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.23.

L/C Disbursement” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

L/C Exposure” shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time and (b) the aggregate amount of all L/C Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The L/C Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall equal its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate L/C Exposure at such time.

L/C Participation Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

Lenders” shall mean (a) the persons listed on Schedule 2.01 (other than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) and (b) any person that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include the Swingline Lender.

Letter of Credit” shall mean any letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.23 and any Existing Letters of Credit.

Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of Total Debt on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date.

LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates)

 

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for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in dollars are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Letters of Credit, the Guarantee Agreement, the Security Documents, and the promissory notes, if any, executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.04(e).

Loan Parties” shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Loans” shall mean the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans.

Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, liabilities, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is or will be a party or (c) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Lenders under any Loan Document; provided that no Disclosed Matter shall constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor thereto.

Mortgaged Properties” shall mean, initially, the owned real properties and leasehold and subleasehold interests of the Loan Parties specified on Schedule 1.01(b), and shall include each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.12.

 

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Mortgages” shall mean the mortgages, deeds of trust, leasehold mortgages, assignments of leases and rents, modifications and other security documents delivered pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.02(h) or pursuant to Section 5.12, each substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to any Asset Sale, the cash proceeds (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received) in respect of noncash consideration initially received), net of (a) selling expenses (including reasonable broker’s fees or commissions, legal fees, transfer and similar taxes and the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale), (b) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustment associated with such Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and (c) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the asset sold in such Asset Sale and which is required to be repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset); provided, however, that, if (i) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent at the time of receipt thereof setting forth the Borrower’s intent to reinvest such proceeds in productive assets of a kind then used or usable in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to make capital expenditures in connection with the improvement of the capital assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries within 180 days of receipt of such proceeds and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing at the time of such certificate or at the proposed time of the application of such proceeds, such proceeds shall not constitute Net Cash Proceeds except to the extent not so used at the end of such 180-day period, at which time such proceeds shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds.

Net Equity Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to each issuance or sale of any Qualified Capital Stock of the Borrower or any capital contribution to the Borrower, the cash proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other costs associated therewith; including those of attorneys, accountants and other professionals) received by the Borrower from the sale or issuance of such Qualified Capital Stock or from such capital contribution.

Net Transaction Costs” shall mean (i) any income or expense amounts recorded in connection with or required to be recorded to give effect to the Transactions or (ii) any cash proceeds or expenditures related to the Transactions, whether such amounts pursuant to (i) or (ii) occurred prior to, on, or after the Closing Date.

Obligations” shall mean all obligations defined as “First Lien Obligations” in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

Parent” shall mean any person that as a result of and after a Parent Transaction is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower.

Parent Guarantee” shall mean a Guarantee of the Borrower’s obligations under the Senior Secured Notes by any Parent as required by the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

Parent Transaction” shall mean a transaction, whether by merger, contribution, capitalization or otherwise, pursuant to which the Borrower becomes a wholly owned Subsidiary of any Parent; provided that (i) all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower immediately prior to such transaction (other than any Subsidiary participating in such transaction that ceases to exist upon the consummation of such transaction) shall remain Subsidiaries of the Borrower immediately after such transaction and (ii) the “beneficial owners” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Equity Interests of the Borrower immediately prior to such transaction shall be the “beneficial owners” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Equity Interests of any Parent in substantially the same proportion immediately after such transaction.

PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

Perfection Certificate” shall mean the Perfection Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Security Agreement.

Permitted Acquisition” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04(h).

Permitted Investments” shall mean:

(a)  direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)  obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any municipality or other political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having, at the time of acquisition, the highest rating obtainable from any of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch Ratings, Inc.;

(c)  investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) from S&P or at least “P-1” (or the then equivalent grade) from Moody’s;

 

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(d)  investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(e)  fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria of clause (d) above;

(f)  investments in “money market funds” within the meaning of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, substantially all of whose assets are invested in investments of the type described in clauses (a) through (e) above; and

(g)  other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.

Permitted Investors” shall mean any of Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited, and any of their respective Affiliates.

Permitted Payments to Parent” shall mean (a) for so long as the Borrower is a member of a group filing a consolidated or combined tax return with any Parent, payments to any Parent in respect of an allocable portion of the tax liabilities of such group that is attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (“Tax Payments”) and (b) any general administrative expenses incurred by any Parent (including administrative expenses incurred in connection with the operation of any Parent, the filing of required documents pursuant to the Exchange Act and the offering of the Senior Secured Notes). The Tax Payments shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the amount of the relevant tax (including any penalties and interest) that the Borrower would owe if the Borrower were filing a separate tax return (or a separate consolidated or combined return with its Subsidiaries that are members of the consolidated or combined group), taking into account any carryovers and carrybacks of tax attributes (such as net operating losses) of the Borrower and such Subsidiaries from other taxable years and (ii) the net amount of the relevant tax that any Parent actually owes to the appropriate taxing authority. Any Tax Payments received from the Borrower shall be paid over to the appropriate taxing authority within 30 days of any Parent’s receipt of such Tax Payments or refunded to the Borrower.

Permitted Reorganizations” shall mean a corporate reorganization transaction or series of transactions approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion pursuant to which certain business operations of BTI Telecom Corp. and its subsidiaries

 

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are combined with certain business operations of Interstate Fibernet, Inc., DeltaCom, Inc. and DeltaCom Information Systems, Inc. (whether accomplished by merger, share exchange, stock transfer, asset transfer or otherwise) for purposes of avoiding overlapping of certain interconnection agreements, certain duplicative fees and expenses, and otherwise streamlining the business and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, that, in addition to other reasonable conditions the Administrative Agent may require, (a) the person formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation shall be a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and if a Guarantor is a party thereto, the person formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation shall be a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor, (b) immediately after giving effect to such reorganization, on a pro forma basis, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall have a net worth equal to or greater than the consolidated net worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such reorganization, and (c) such reorganization does not result in any of the Subsidiaries no longer being wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower.

person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum determined from time to time by Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City and notified to the Borrower. The prime rate is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors, including the Administrative Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such rate.

Pro Rata Percentage” of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall mean the percentage of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. In the event the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the Pro Rata Percentages shall be determined on the basis of the Revolving Credit Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.

Qualified Capital Stock” of any person shall mean any Equity Interest of such person that is not Disqualified Stock.

Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d).

 

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Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified person, such person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such person and such person’s Affiliates.

Release” shall mean any actual release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment or within, under, from or upon any building, structure, facility or fixture.

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans (excluding Swingline Loans), L/C Exposure, Swingline Exposure and unused Revolving Credit Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding (excluding Swingline Loans), L/C Exposure, Swingline Exposure and unused Revolving Credit Commitments at such time; provided that the Revolving Loans, L/C Exposure, Swingline Exposure and unused Revolving Credit Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders at any time.

Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement.

Restricted Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the payment, prepayment, repurchase or defeasance of which is restricted under Section 6.09(b).

Restricted Payment” shall mean any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Qualified Capital Stock)) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Qualified Capital Stock)), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Revolving Credit Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Loans.

Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder (and to acquire participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit as provided for herein) as set

 

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forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed its Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.

Revolving Credit Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lender, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender’s L/C Exposure, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender’s Swingline Exposure.

Revolving Credit Lender” shall mean a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment or an outstanding Revolving Loan.

Revolving Credit Maturity Date” shall mean April 9, 2015.

Revolving Loans” shall mean the revolving loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.

Secured Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Total Debt on any such date of determination that is secured by a Lien on any assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date of determination.

Secured Parties” shall mean (a) the Bank Secured Parties, (b) the holders of the Senior Secured Notes, (c) the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and (d) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Security Agreement” shall mean the Security Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit D, among the Borrower, the Subsidiaries party thereto and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Security Documents” shall mean the Mortgages, the Security Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.12.

Senior Secured Notes” shall mean the Borrower’s 10.5% senior secured notes due 2016, issued pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount of $325,000,000.

Senior Secured Notes Documents” shall mean the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Security Documents and all other documents executed and delivered with respect to the Senior Secured Notes or the Senior Secured Note Indenture.

 

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Senior Secured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Indenture for the Senior Secured Notes dated as of April 9, 2010 between the Borrower and the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Senior Secured Notes Trustee” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. and its successors and assigns acting as trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

Significant Asset Sale” shall mean the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any person other than the Borrower or a Guarantor of all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of the Equity Interests in, a person, or a division or line of business or other business unit of a person.

Southern” shall mean Southern Telecom Inc. and its affiliates described on Schedule 1.01(d).

Southern Assets” shall mean the fiber and related rights and assets owned or to be owned by Southern or in which Southern has a security interest described on Schedule 1.01(d), in each case, pursuant to the Southern Company Agreement.

Southern Company Agreement” shall mean the Revised and Restated Fiber Optic Facilities and Services Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1995 (as amended, supplemented, renewed, replaced, or otherwise modified from time to time), among Southern Development and Investment Group, Inc., on behalf of itself and as agent for Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, Gulf Power Company, Mississippi Power Company, Savannah Electric and Power Company, Southern Electric Generating Company and Southern Company Services, Inc., and MPX Systems, Inc., which was assigned in part by MPX Systems, Inc. to Gulf States FiberNet pursuant to an assignment dated as of July 25, 1995.

Southern Lien” shall mean the Lien or Liens on the Southern Assets described on Schedule 1.01(d).

SPC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, or any successor thereto.

Statutory Reserves” shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

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subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Borrower.

Swingline Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make loans pursuant to Section 2.22, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09.

Swingline Exposure” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall equal its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender” shall mean Credit Suisse AG, acting through any of its Affiliates or branches, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan” shall mean any loan made by the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.22.

Synthetic Lease” shall mean, as to any person, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such person is the lessor.

Synthetic Lease Obligations” shall mean, as to any person, an amount equal to the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under any Synthetic Lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP if such obligations were accounted for as Capital Lease Obligations.

Synthetic Purchase Agreement” shall mean any swap, derivative or other agreement or combination of agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or may become obligated to make (a) any payment in connection with a purchase by any third party from a person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness or (b) any payment (other than on account of a permitted purchase by it of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness) the amount of which is determined by reference to the price or value at any time of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness; provided that no phantom stock or similar

 

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plan or any Equity Plan providing for payments only to current or former directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (or to their heirs or estates) shall be deemed to be a Synthetic Purchase Agreement.

Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Total Debt” shall mean, at any time, the total Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such time (excluding (a) Indebtedness of the type described in clause (i) of the definition of such term, except to the extent of any unreimbursed drawings thereunder, and (b) intercompany Indebtedness).

Total Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments, as in effect at such time. The initial Total Revolving Credit Commitment is $30,000,000.

Transactions” shall mean, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party, and, in the case of the Borrower, the making of the Borrowings hereunder, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries party thereto of the Senior Secured Notes Documents and the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes, (c) the Existing Debt Refinancing, and (d) the payment of related fees and expenses.

Type”, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall mean the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

Unfunded Advances/Participations” shall mean (a) with respect to the Administrative Agent, without duplication of amounts paid to the Administrative Agent under the Intercreditor Agreement, the aggregate amount, if any, (i) made available to the Borrower on the assumption that each Lender has made its portion of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent as contemplated by Section 2.02(d) and (ii) with respect to which a corresponding amount shall not in fact have been returned to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or made available to the Administrative Agent by any such Lender, and (b) with respect to any Issuing Bank, the aggregate amount, if any, of participations in respect of any outstanding L/C Disbursement with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank that shall not have been funded by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with Sections 2.23(d) and 2.02(f).

USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, Equity Interests of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such person.

 

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wholly owned Subsidiary” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person of which securities (except for directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held by such person or one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such person or by such person and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such person.

Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

SECTION 1.02.  Terms Generally.  The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; and the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (b) all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article VI or any related definition to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring after the date of this Agreement on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article VI or any related definition for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders.

SECTION 1.03.  Pro Forma Calculations.  With respect to any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters during which any Permitted Acquisition or Significant Asset Sale occurs, the terms Consolidated EBITDA, Interest Coverage Ratio, Leverage Ratio and Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated with respect to such period on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition or Significant Asset Sale (including all pro forma adjustments permitted or required by Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; provided that all such adjustments shall be set forth in a reasonably detailed certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower), using, for purposes of making such calculations, the historical financial statements of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries which shall be reformulated as if such Permitted Acquisition or Significant Asset Sale, and any other Permitted Acquisitions and Significant Asset Sales that have been consummated during the period, had been consummated on the first day of such period.

 

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SECTION 1.04.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).

ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time after the date hereof, and until the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the limits set forth in the preceding sentence and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, pay or prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

SECTION 2.02.  Loans.  (a)  Each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable Commitments; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). Except for Loans deemed made pursuant to Section 2.02(f), the Loans comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000 or (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of the applicable Commitments.

(b)  Subject to Sections 2.02(f), 2.08 and 2.15, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request pursuant to Section 2.03. Each Lender may at its option make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than eight Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any time. For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

 

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(c)  Except with respect to Loans made pursuant to Section 2.02(f), each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account in New York City as the Administrative Agent may designate not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or, if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.

(d)  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement, and the Borrower’s obligation to repay the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount pursuant to this Section 2.02(d) shall cease.

(e)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Revolving Credit Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.

(f)  If the Issuing Bank shall not have received from the Borrower the payment required to be made by Section 2.23(e) within the time specified in such Section, the Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the L/C Disbursement and the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of such L/C Disbursement and its Pro Rata Percentage thereof. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date (or, if such Revolving Credit Lender shall have received such notice later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, on any day, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately following Business Day), an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of such L/C Disbursement (it being understood that (i) if the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in Sections 4.01(b) and (c) have been satisfied, such amount shall be deemed to constitute

 

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an ABR Revolving Loan of such Lender and, to the extent of such payment, the obligations of the Borrower in respect of such L/C Disbursement shall be discharged and replaced with the resulting ABR Revolving Credit Borrowing, and (ii) if such conditions precedent to borrowing have not been satisfied, then any such amount paid by any Revolving Credit Lender shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower from its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement), and the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank amounts so received by it from the Revolving Credit Lenders. The Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank any amounts received by it from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.23(e) prior to the time that any Revolving Credit Lender makes any payment pursuant to this paragraph (f); any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent thereafter will be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders that shall have made such payments and to the Issuing Bank, as their interests may appear. If any Revolving Credit Lender shall not have made its Pro Rata Percentage of such L/C Disbursement available to the Administrative Agent as provided above, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay interest on such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is required to be paid in accordance with this paragraph to but excluding the date such amount is paid, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(a), and (ii) in the case of such Lender, for the first such day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and for each day thereafter, the Alternate Base Rate.

SECTION 2.03.  Borrowing Procedure.  In order to request a Borrowing (other than a Swingline Loan or a deemed Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.02(f), as to which this Section 2.03 shall not apply), the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before a proposed Borrowing, and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business Day before a proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable, and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or fax to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request and shall specify the following information: (i) whether such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing; (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the number and location of the account to which funds are to be disbursed; (iv) the amount of such Borrowing; and (v) if such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any contrary specification in any Borrowing Request, each requested Borrowing shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2.02. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.03 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s portion of the requested Borrowing.

 

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SECTION 2.04.  Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans.  (a)  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. The Borrower hereby promises to pay to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the date that is at least five Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made, provided that on each date that a Revolving Credit Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b)  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

(c)  The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and, if applicable, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower or any Guarantor and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d)  The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.

(e)  Any Lender may request that Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns and in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event any Lender shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by such note shall at all times (including after any assignment of all or part of such interests pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes payable to the payee named therein or its registered assigns.

SECTION 2.05.  Fees.  (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay to each Revolving Credit Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender for so long as, and with respect to the period during which, such Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December in each year and on each date on which any Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender shall expire or be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a “Commitment Fee”) equal to 1.25% per annum on the daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter (or other period commencing with the date hereof or ending with the Revolving Credit Maturity

 

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Date or the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Lender shall expire or be terminated). All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. For purposes of calculating Commitment Fees only, no portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be deemed utilized as a result of outstanding Swingline Loans.

(b)  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the administrative fees separately agreed to from time to time in writing (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).

(c)  The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to each Revolving Credit Lender, through the Administrative Agent, on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee (an “L/C Participation Fee”) calculated on such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of the daily aggregate L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed L/C Disbursements) during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the date hereof or ending with the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the date on which all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and the Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders shall have been terminated) at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Percentage from time to time used to determine the interest rate on Revolving Credit Borrowings comprised of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.06, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank with respect to each Letter of Credit (x) a fronting fee no greater than 0.25% per annum of the face amount of each Letter of Credit and (y) the standard issuance and drawing fees specified from time to time by the Issuing Bank (all fees in this clause (ii), collectively, the “Issuing Bank Fees”). All L/C Participation Fees and the Issuing Bank Fees referred to in clause (ii)(x) above shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

(d)  All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that the Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the Issuing Bank. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances unless an error was made in calculating any such Fees (as determined by, or demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of, the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 2.06.  Interest on Loans.  (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing, including each Swingline Loan, shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when the Alternate Base Rate is determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but excluding the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage in effect from time to time.

 

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(b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Percentage in effect from time to time.

(c)  Interest on each Loan shall be payable on the Interest Payment Dates applicable to such Loan except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate for each Interest Period or day within an Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.07.  Default Interest.  If the Borrower shall default in the payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount due hereunder, by acceleration or otherwise, or under any other Loan Document, then, until such defaulted amount shall have been paid in full, to the extent permitted by law, all amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall bear interest (after as well as before judgment), payable on demand, (a) in the case of principal, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.06 plus 2.00% per annum and (b) in all other cases, at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times) equal to the rate that would be applicable to an ABR Revolving Loan plus 2.00% per annum.

SECTION 2.08.  Alternate Rate of Interest.  In the event, and on each occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing the Administrative Agent shall have determined that dollar deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such Borrowing are not generally available in the London interbank market, or that the rates at which such dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining its Eurodollar Loan during such Interest Period, or that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give written or fax notice of such determination to the Borrower and the Lenders. In the event of any such determination, until the Administrative Agent shall have advised the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, any request by the Borrower for a Eurodollar Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.10 shall be deemed to be a request for an ABR Borrowing. Each determination by the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.08 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.09.  Termination and Reduction of Commitments.  (a)  The Revolving Credit Commitments and the Swingline Commitment shall automatically terminate on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. The L/C Commitment shall automatically terminate on the earlier to occur of (i) the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and (ii) the date 30 days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.

 

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(b)  Upon at least three Business Days’ prior irrevocable written or fax notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may at any time in whole permanently terminate, or from time to time in part permanently reduce, the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Swingline Commitment; provided, however, that (i) each partial reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an integral multiple of $500,000, (ii) each partial reduction of the Swingline Commitment shall be in an integral multiple of $100,000 and (iii) the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall not be reduced to an amount that is less than the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure at the time.

(c)  Each reduction in the Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective applicable Commitments. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, on the date of each termination or reduction, the Commitment Fees on the amount of the Commitments so terminated or reduced accrued to but excluding the date of such termination or reduction.

SECTION 2.10.  Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings.  The Borrower shall have the right at any time upon prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent (a) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, one Business Day prior to conversion, to convert any Eurodollar Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing, (b) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion or continuation, to convert any ABR Borrowing into a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue any Eurodollar Borrowing as a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period, and (c) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion, to convert the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing to another permissible Interest Period, subject in each case to the following:

(i)  each conversion or continuation shall be made pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of the Loans comprising the converted or continued Borrowing;

(ii)  if less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(a) and 2.02(b) regarding the principal amount and maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type;

(iii)  each conversion shall be effected by each Lender and the Administrative Agent by recording for the account of such Lender the new Loan of such Lender resulting from such conversion and reducing the Loan (or portion thereof) of such Lender being converted by an equivalent principal amount; accrued interest on any Eurodollar Loan (or portion thereof) being converted shall be paid by the Borrower at the time of conversion;

(iv)  if any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted at a time other than the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall pay, upon demand, any amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.16;

 

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(v)  any portion of a Borrowing maturing or required to be repaid in less than one month may not be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing;

(vi)  any portion of a Eurodollar Borrowing that cannot be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing by reason of the immediately preceding clause shall be automatically converted at the end of the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing; and

(vii)  upon notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent given at the request of the Required Lenders, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default, no outstanding Loan may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Loan.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be irrevocable and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) the identity and amount of the Borrowing that the Borrower requests be converted or continued, (ii) whether such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing, (iii) if such notice requests a conversion, the date of such conversion (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto. If no Interest Period is specified in any such notice with respect to any conversion to or continuation as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. The Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.10 and of each Lender’s portion of any converted or continued Borrowing. If the Borrower shall not have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to continue any Borrowing into a subsequent Interest Period (and shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to convert such Borrowing), such Borrowing shall, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof), automatically be continued into an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.11.  RESERVED

SECTION 2.12.  Optional Prepayment.  (a)  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, upon at least three Business Days’ prior written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) on the Business Day of prepayment in the case of ABR Loans, to the Administrative Agent before 12:00 (noon), New York City time; provided, however, that each partial prepayment of a Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000.

(b)  Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof) to be prepaid, shall be irrevocable unless conditioned upon a refinancing, in which case it shall still be subject to Section 2.16, and shall commit the Borrower to prepay such Borrowing by the amount

 

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stated therein on the date stated therein. All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be subject to Section 2.16 but otherwise without premium or penalty. All prepayments under this Section 2.12 (other than prepayments of ABR Revolving Loans that are not made in connection with the termination or permanent reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments) shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

SECTION 2.13.  Mandatory Prepayments.  (a)  In the event of any termination of all the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Credit Borrowings and all outstanding Swingline Loans and replace or cause to be canceled (or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect to) all outstanding Letters of Credit. If, after giving effect to any partial reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments or at any other time, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, then the Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction or at such other time, repay or prepay Revolving Credit Borrowings or Swingline Loans (or a combination thereof). If the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure still exceeds the Total Revolving Credit Commitment after the Revolving Credit Borrowings and Swingline Loans have been repaid or prepaid in full pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Borrower shall replace or cause to be canceled (or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect to) Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

(b)  Not later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Asset Sale, the Borrower shall apply 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto to prepay outstanding Revolving Credit Borrowings or Swingline Loans (or a combination thereof).

SECTION 2.14.  Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of or credit extended by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (except any such reserve requirement which is reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or shall impose on such Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or increase the cost to any Lender of issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or purchasing or maintaining a participation therein or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) by an amount deemed by such Lender or the Issuing Bank to be material, then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at the time set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section 2.14 such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b)  If any Lender or the Issuing Bank shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made or participations in Letters of Credit purchased by such Lender pursuant hereto or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank pursuant hereto to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or the Issuing Bank to be material, then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)  A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank the amount shown as due on any such certificate delivered by it within 10 days after its receipt of the same.

(d)  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to compensate any Lender or the Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) above with respect to increased costs or reductions with respect to any period prior to the date that is 120 days prior to such request if such Lender or the Issuing Bank knew or could reasonably have been expected to know of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the fact that such circumstances would result in a claim for increased compensation by reason of such increased costs or reductions; provided further that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any increased costs or reductions arising out of the retroactive application of any Change in Law within such 120-day period. The protection of this Section shall be available to each Lender and the Issuing Bank regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the Change in Law that shall have occurred or been imposed.

SECTION 2.15.  Change in Legality.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loan or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, then, by written notice to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent:

(i)  such Lender may declare that Eurodollar Loans will not thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) be made by such Lender hereunder (or be continued for additional Interest Periods) and ABR Loans will not thereafter (for

 

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such duration) be converted into Eurodollar Loans, whereupon any request for a Eurodollar Borrowing (or to convert an ABR Borrowing to a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period) shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request for an ABR Loan (or a request to continue an ABR Loan as such for an additional Interest Period or to convert a Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan, as the case may be), unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and

(ii)  such Lender may require that all outstanding Eurodollar Loans made by it be converted to ABR Loans, in which event all such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans as of the effective date of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below.

In the event any Lender shall exercise its rights under (i) or (ii) above, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise have been applied to repay the Eurodollar Loans that would have been made by such Lender or the converted Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall instead be applied to repay the ABR Loans made by such Lender in lieu of, or resulting from the conversion of, such Eurodollar Loans.

(b)  For purposes of this Section 2.15, a notice to the Borrower by any Lender shall be effective as to each Eurodollar Loan made by such Lender, if lawful, on the last day of the Interest Period then applicable to such Eurodollar Loan; in all other cases such notice shall be effective on the date of receipt by the Borrower.

SECTION 2.16.  Indemnity.  The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) any event, other than a default by such Lender in the performance of its obligations hereunder, which results in (i) such Lender receiving or being deemed to receive any amount on account of the principal of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period in effect therefor, (ii) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan to an ABR Loan, or the conversion of the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, in each case other than on the last day of the Interest Period in effect therefor, or (iii) any Eurodollar Loan to be made by such Lender (including any Eurodollar Loan to be made pursuant to a conversion or continuation under Section 2.10) not being made after notice of such Loan shall have been given by the Borrower hereunder (any of the events referred to in this clause (a) being called a “Breakage Event”) or (b) any default in the making of any payment or prepayment required to be made hereunder. In the case of any Breakage Event, such loss shall include an amount equal to the excess, as reasonably determined by such Lender, of (i) its cost of obtaining funds for the Eurodollar Loan that is the subject of such Breakage Event for the period from the date of such Breakage Event to the last day of the Interest Period in effect (or that would have been in effect) for such Loan over (ii) the amount of interest likely to be realized by such Lender in redeploying the funds released or not utilized by reason of such Breakage Event for such period. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts which such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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SECTION 2.17.  Pro Rata Treatment.  Except as provided below in this Section 2.17 with respect to Swingline Loans, subject to the express provisions of this Agreement which require, or permit, differing payments to be made to non-Defaulting Lenders as opposed to Defaulting Lenders, and as required under Section 2.15, each Borrowing, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Loans, each payment of the Commitment Fees, each reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments and each conversion of any Borrowing to or continuation of any Borrowing as a Borrowing of any Type shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective applicable Commitments (or, if such Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans). For purposes of determining the available Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders at any time, each outstanding Swingline Loan shall be deemed to have utilized the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders (including those Lenders which shall not have made Swingline Loans) pro rata in accordance with such respective Revolving Credit Commitments. Each Lender agrees that in computing such Lender’s portion of any Borrowing to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, round each Lender’s percentage of such Borrowing to the next higher or lower whole dollar amount.

SECTION 2.18.  Sharing of Setoffs.  Each Lender agrees that if it shall, through the exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loan or Loans or L/C Disbursement as a result of which the unpaid principal portion of its Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of the Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements of any other Lender, it shall be deemed simultaneously to have purchased from such other Lender at face value, and shall promptly pay to such other Lender the purchase price for, a participation in the Loans and L/C Exposure of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans and L/C Exposure and participations in Loans and L/C Exposure held by each Lender shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans and L/C Exposure then outstanding as the principal amount of its Loans and L/C Exposure prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event was to the principal amount of all Loans and L/C Exposure outstanding prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that (i) if any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.18 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 2.18 shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans. The Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Lender holding a participation in a Loan or L/C Disbursement deemed to have been

 

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so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Borrower to such Lender by reason thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a Loan directly to the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

SECTION 2.19.  Payments.  (a)  The Borrower shall make each payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any L/C Disbursement or any Fees or other amounts) hereunder and under any other Loan Document not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, on the date when due in immediately available dollars, without setoff, defense or counterclaim. Each such payment (other than (i) Issuing Bank Fees, which shall be paid directly to the Issuing Bank, and (ii) principal of and interest on Swingline Loans, which shall be paid directly to the Swingline Lender except as otherwise provided in Section 2.22(e)) shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 12:00 (noon), New York City time, shall be deemed received on the next Business Day (in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion) and any applicable interest shall continue to accrue. The Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender any payments received by the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lender.

(b)  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever any payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Fees or other amounts) hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.

(c)  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower does not in fact make such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, and to pay interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to, but excluding, the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error).

SECTION 2.20.  Taxes.  (a)  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that, if the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required

 

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deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b)  In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c)  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor specifying in reasonable detail the nature and amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on behalf of itself, a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e)  Each Foreign Lender hereby agrees that it shall, no later than April 9, 2010 or, in the case of a Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance after April 9, 2010, within 10 days after such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto, or, in the case where a Foreign Lender changes its applicable lending office by designating a different lending office (a “New Lending Office”), within 10 days after such Lender designates the New Lending Office, and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally able to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent either (i) two accurate, complete and signed copies of either (x) U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or successor form, or (y) U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or successor form, in each case, indicating that such Foreign Lender is on the date of delivery thereof entitled to receive payments of interest hereunder free from, or subject to a reduced rate of, withholding of United States Federal income tax or (ii) in the case of such a Lender that is entitled to claim exemption from withholding of United States Federal income tax under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a

 

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certificate to the effect that such Lender is (A) not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) not a “10 percent shareholder” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (C) not a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) two accurate, complete and signed copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or successor form. In addition, each Foreign Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Foreign Lender and shall deliver such forms within 20 days after receipt of a written request therefor from the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(f)  Each Lender and Administrative Agent that is a U.S. person as that term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, other than a Lender or Administrative Agent that may be treated as an exempt recipient based on the indicators described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii), hereby agrees that it shall, no later than April 9, 2010 or, in the case of a Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance after April 9, 2010, within 10 days after such Lender becomes a party hereto, deliver to the Administrative Agent two accurate, complete and signed copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or successor form, certifying that such Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is on the date of delivery thereof entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax. Unless the Administrative Agent has received such forms or other documents required by this Section 2.20(f), the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall withhold amounts as required by applicable requirements of law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

(g)  If a Lender determines that it has received a refund in respect of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to Section 2.20(a) or made an indemnity payment, pursuant to this Section 2.20(c), it shall within 30 days from the date of such receipt pay over such refund to the Borrower, net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender; provided, that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other person.

(h)  If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender fails to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and Administrative Agent (A) a certification signed by the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller and (B) other documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or Administrative Agent sufficient for the Borrower and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such applicable reporting requirements.

 

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SECTION 2.21.  Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate.  (a)  In the event (i) any Lender or the Issuing Bank delivers a certificate requesting compensation pursuant to Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender or the Issuing Bank delivers a notice described in Section 2.15, (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or the Issuing Bank or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.20, (iv) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or (v) any Lender refuses to consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Document requested by the Borrower that requires the consent of a greater percentage of the Lenders than the Required Lenders and such amendment, waiver or other modification is consented to by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)), upon notice to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender or the Issuing Bank to transfer and assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such assigned obligations and, with respect to clause (v) above, shall consent to such requested amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Document (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (x) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, (y) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, which consents shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, and (z) the Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the affected Lender or the Issuing Bank in immediately available funds an amount equal to the sum of the principal of and interest accrued to the date of such payment on the outstanding Loans or L/C Disbursements of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, respectively, plus all Fees and other amounts accrued for the account of such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder with respect thereto (including any amounts under Sections 2.14 and 2.16); provided further that, if prior to any such transfer and assignment the circumstances or event that resulted in such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s claim for compensation under Section 2.14, notice under Section 2.15 or the amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, cease to cause such Lender or the Issuing Bank to suffer increased costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital, or cease to have the consequences specified in Section 2.15, or cease to result in amounts being payable under Section 2.20, as the case may be (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to paragraph (b) below), or if such Lender or the Issuing Bank shall waive its right to claim further compensation under Section 2.14 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall withdraw its notice under Section 2.15 or shall waive its right to further payments under Section 2.20 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall consent to the proposed amendment, waiver, consent or other modification, as the case may be, then such Lender or the Issuing Bank shall not thereafter be required to make any such transfer and assignment hereunder. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent an irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) to execute and deliver, on behalf of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, as assignor, any Assignment and Acceptance necessary to effectuate any assignment of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s interests hereunder in the circumstances contemplated by this Section 2.21(a).

 

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(b)  If (i) any Lender or the Issuing Bank shall request compensation under Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender or the Issuing Bank delivers a notice described in Section 2.15 or (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or the Issuing Bank or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender or the Issuing Bank, pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Lender or the Issuing Bank shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not require such Lender or the Issuing Bank to incur an unreimbursed loss or unreimbursed cost or expense or otherwise take any action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be significant) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such filing or assignment would reduce its claims for compensation under Section 2.14 or enable it to withdraw its notice pursuant to Section 2.15 or would reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, in the future. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the Issuing Bank in connection with any such filing or assignment, delegation and transfer.

SECTION 2.22.  Swingline Loans.  (a)  Swingline Commitment.  Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Swingline Lender agrees to make loans to the Borrower at any time and from time to time on and after the Closing Date and until the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans exceeding $2,500,000 in the aggregate or (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure, after giving effect to any Swingline Loan, exceeding the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Swingline Loan shall be in a principal amount that is a minimum of $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000. The Swingline Commitment may be terminated or reduced from time to time as provided herein. Within the foregoing limits, the Borrower may borrow, pay or prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans hereunder, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein. No Swingline Loan shall be used for the purpose of funding the payment of principal or interest of any other Swingline Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.22 or elsewhere in this Agreement, the Swingline Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swingline Loan at a time when a Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrower to eliminate the Swingline Lender’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Lenders’ participation in such Swingline Loans, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of the outstanding Swingline Loans.).

(b)  Swingline Loans.  The Borrower shall notify the Swingline Lender by fax, or by telephone (promptly confirmed by fax), not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Such notice shall be delivered on a

 

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Business Day, shall be irrevocable and shall refer to this Agreement and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of such Swingline Loan and the wire transfer instructions for the account of the Borrower to which the proceeds of the Swingline Loan should be disbursed. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan by wire transfer to the account specified in such request.

(c)  Prepayment.  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Swingline Loan, in whole or in part, upon giving written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written, or fax notice) to the Swingline Lender before 12:00 (noon), New York City time, on the date of prepayment at the Swingline Lender’s address for notices specified in Section 9.01.

(d)  Interest.  Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, shall bear interest as provided in Section 2.06(a).

(e)  Participations.  The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Credit Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Credit Lenders will participate. The Administrative Agent will, promptly upon receipt of such notice, give notice to each Revolving Credit Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02(c) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.02(c) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders) and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other person on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower (or other person liable for obligations of the Borrower) of any default in the payment thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.23.  Letters of Credit.  (a)  General.  The Borrower may request the issuance of, and the Issuing Bank agrees to issue, a Letter of Credit for the Borrower’s own account or for the account of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (in which case the Borrower and such Subsidiary shall be co-applicants with respect to such Letter of Credit), in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time while the L/C Commitment remains in effect, pursuant to Section 2.09(a). This Section shall not be construed to impose an obligation upon the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.23 or elsewhere in this Agreement, in the event that a Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue any Letter of Credit unless the Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrower to eliminate the Issuing Bank’s risk with respect to the participation in Letters of Credit by all such Defaulting Lenders, including by cash collateralizing each such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of each Letter of Credit.

(b)  Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.  In order to request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or to amend, renew or extend an existing Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or fax to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) below), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare such Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if, and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that, after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the L/C Exposure shall not exceed $5,000,000 and (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

(c)  Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at the close of business on the earlier of the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit and the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, unless such Letter of Credit expires by its terms on an earlier date; provided, however, that a Letter of Credit may, upon the request of the Borrower, include a provision whereby such Letter of Credit shall be renewed automatically for additional consecutive periods of 12 months or less (but not beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date) unless the Issuing Bank notifies the beneficiary thereof at least 30 days (or such longer period as may be specified in such Letter of Credit) prior to the then-applicable expiration date that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed.

 

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(d)  Participations.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Credit Lender, and each such Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, effective upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of an Existing Letter of Credit, on the Closing Date). In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower (or, if applicable, another party pursuant to its obligations under any other Loan Document) forthwith on the date due as provided in Section 2.02(f). Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e)  Reimbursement.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, if the Borrower shall have received notice from the Issuing Bank on or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day, that payment of such draft will be made on such Business Day, or, if the Borrower shall have received such notice later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day, not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the immediately following Business Day.

(f)  Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligations to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) above shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, under any and all circumstances whatsoever, and irrespective of:

(i)  any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any Loan Document, or any term or provision therein;

(ii)  any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from all or any of the provisions of any Letter of Credit or any Loan Document;

(iii)  the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower, any other party guaranteeing, or otherwise obligated with, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof or any other person may at any time have against the beneficiary under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other related or unrelated agreement or transaction;

 

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(iv)  any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

(v)  payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

(vi)  any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind of the Issuing Bank, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or any other person or any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that the absolute and unconditional obligation of the Borrower hereunder to reimburse L/C Disbursements will not be excused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank. However, the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. It is further understood and agreed that the Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary and, in making any payment under any Letter of Credit (i) the Issuing Bank’s exclusive reliance on the documents presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein, including reliance on the amount of any draft presented under such Letter of Credit, whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder equals the amount of such draft and whether or not any document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect, if such document on its face appears to be in order, and whether or not any other statement or any other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be forged or invalid or any statement therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect whatsoever and (ii) any noncompliance in any immaterial respect of the documents presented under such Letter of Credit with the terms thereof shall, in each case, be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank.

(g)  Disbursement Procedures.  The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall as promptly as possible give telephonic notification, confirmed by fax, to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.

 

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(h)  Interim Interest.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on such date, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest for the account of the Issuing Bank, for each day from and including the date of such L/C Disbursement, to but excluding the earlier of the date of payment by the Borrower or the date on which interest shall commence to accrue thereon as provided in Section 2.02(f), at the rate per annum that would apply to such amount if such amount were an ABR Revolving Loan.

(i)  Resignation or Removal of the Issuing Bank.  The Issuing Bank may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, and may be removed at any time by the Borrower by notice to the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the Issuing Bank hereunder by a Lender that shall agree to serve as successor Issuing Bank, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the interests, rights and obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank. At the time such removal or resignation shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all accrued and unpaid fees pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(ii). The acceptance of any appointment as the Issuing Bank hereunder by a successor Lender shall be evidenced by an agreement entered into by such successor, in a form satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such successor Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the previous Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the resignation or removal of the Issuing Bank hereunder, the retiring Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or removal, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j)  Cash Collateralization.  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Borrower shall, on the Business Day it receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Credit Lenders holding participations in outstanding Letters of Credit representing greater than 50% of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit) thereof and of the amount to be deposited, deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the L/C Exposure as of such date. Such deposit shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Bank Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits in Permitted Investments, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall (i) automatically be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for L/C Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed,

 

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(ii) be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the L/C Exposure at such time and (iii) if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Credit Lenders holding participations in outstanding Letters of Credit representing greater than 50% of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit), be applied to satisfy the Bank Obligations. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

(k)  Additional Issuing Banks.  The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as an issuing bank under the terms of this Agreement, subject to reporting requirements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to issuances, amendments, extensions and terminations of Letters of Credit by such additional issuing bank. Any Lender designated as an issuing bank pursuant to this paragraph (k) shall be deemed to be an “Issuing Bank” (in addition to being a Lender) in respect of Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Lender, and, with respect to such Letters of Credit, such term shall thereafter apply to the other Issuing Bank and such Lender.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers.  The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder.

SECTION 3.02.  Authorization.  The Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (B) any order of any Governmental Authority except to the extent such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or

 

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both) a default under, or give rise to any right to accelerate or to require the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of any obligation under any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party, except to the extent such conflict, breach, default or other violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Lien created hereunder or under the Security Documents).

SECTION 3.03.  Enforceability.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

SECTION 3.04.  Governmental Approvals.  No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions, except for (a) filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date (including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and recordation of the Mortgages, (b) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect and (c) authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings identified on Schedule 3.04 or which would not have a Material Adverse Effect if not made or obtained.

SECTION 3.05.  Financial Statements.  (a)  The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent its consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, audited by and accompanied by the opinion of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent public accountants, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods. Such balance sheets and the notes thereto disclose all material liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof. Such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

(b)  The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent its unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows as of September 30, 2009, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred, with respect to such balance sheet, on such date and, with respect to such other financial statements, on the first day of the 12-month period ending on such date. Such pro forma financial statements have been

 

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prepared in good faith by the Borrower, based on the assumptions stated therein (which assumptions are believed by the Borrower on the date hereof and on the Closing Date to be reasonable), are based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, accurately reflect all adjustments required to be made to give effect to the Transactions and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be.

SECTION 3.06.  No Material Adverse Change.  Except for any Disclosed Matter, no event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since December 31, 2009. It is understood that downgrades or negative pronouncements by rating agencies and volatility in the capital markets generally shall not in and of themselves be considered material adverse changes, but that the antecedents or consequences thereof may constitute such changes (except to the extent the same constitute Disclosed Matters).

SECTION 3.07.  Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases.  (a)  Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, valid leasehold interests in, or valid licensed rights in, as the case may be, all its material properties and assets (including all Mortgaged Property), except (i) for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes or (ii) as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such material properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

(b)  Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all obligations under all material leases to which it is a party and all such leases are in full force and effect, and each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such material leases, except, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)  As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has not received any notice of, nor does it have any knowledge of, any pending or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting the Mortgaged Properties or any sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation.

(d)  As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is obligated under any right of first refusal, option or other contractual right to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property or any interest therein.

 

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SECTION 3.08.  Subsidiaries.  Schedule 3.08 sets forth as of the Closing Date a list of all Subsidiaries and the percentage ownership interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries therein. The shares of capital stock or other ownership interests so indicated on Schedule 3.08 are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Borrower, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 3.09.  Litigation; Compliance with Laws.  (a)  Except for the Disclosed Matters, there are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any business, property or rights of any such person as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective material properties or assets is in violation of, nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate, any law, rule or regulation (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permits) or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, in each case where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.10.  Agreements.  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is in default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing Indebtedness, or any other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are or may be bound, in each case where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.11.  Federal Reserve Regulations.  (a)  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

(b)  No part of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X.

SECTION 3.12.  Investment Company Act.  Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

SECTION 3.13.  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans and will request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes specified in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 3.14.  Tax Returns.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all Federal tax returns, and all material state, local and foreign tax returns or materials required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes due and payable under such returns by it and all assessments received by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.15.  No Material Misstatements.  None of any other written information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto, taken as a whole, contained or contains any material misstatement of fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact (known to the Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished by it) necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were or are made, not misleading; provided that to the extent any such written information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, the Borrower represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such written information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule (it being recognized by the Agents, Issuing Bank and Lenders that such forecasts or projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such forecasts or projections may differ materially and adversely from the forecasted or projected results).

SECTION 3.16.  Employee Benefit Plans.  The Borrower and each of its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates. The present value of all benefit liabilities under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Accounting Standard Codifications No. 715, as amended or revised from time to time) did not, as of the last annual valuation date applicable thereto, exceed by more than $1,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all benefit liabilities of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Accounting Standard Codifications No. 715, as amended or revised from time to time) did not, as of the last annual valuation dates applicable thereto, exceed by more than $1,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.

SECTION 3.17.  Environmental Matters.  (a)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

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(b)  Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.17 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.18.  Insurance.  Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all insurance maintained by the Borrower or by the Borrower for its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and the Closing Date. As of each such date, such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums have been duly paid. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have insurance in such amounts and covering such risks and liabilities as are in accordance with normal industry practice.

SECTION 3.19.  Security Documents.  (a)  The Security Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) is delivered to the Collateral Agent, and upon the Collateral Agent taking possession or control of such Pledged Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Collateral Agent to the extent possession or control by the Collateral Agent is required by the Security Agreement), the Lien created under the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Pledged Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02, and (ii) when financing statements or other filings in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a) (or, in the case of Collateral delivered after the date hereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.12, in the appropriate filing offices), the Lien created under the Security Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral (other than such Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect at the relevant time in the relevant jurisdiction by filing of a financing statement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

(b)  Upon the recordation of the Security Agreement (or a short-form security agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Collateral Agent) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, together with the financing statements or such other filings in appropriate form filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a) (or, in the case of Collateral delivered after the date hereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.12, in the appropriate filing offices), the Lien created under the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in Patents and Trademarks (as each term is defined in the Security Agreement) registered or applied for with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or Copyrights (as defined in the Security Agreement) registered or applied for with the United States Copyright Office, as the case may be, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to Liens expressly

 

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permitted by Section 6.02 (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights, acquired by the Loan Parties after the date hereof).

(c)  The Mortgages are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on all of the Loan Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when the Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(c) (or, in the case of any Mortgage executed and delivered after the date hereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.12, when such Mortgage is filed in the offices specified in the local counsel opinion delivered with respect thereto), the Mortgages shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to the rights of persons pursuant to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02 or by such Mortgage.

SECTION 3.20.  Location of Real Property and Leased Premises.  (a)  Schedule 3.20(a) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all material real property owned by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries own in fee all the real property set forth on Schedule 3.20(a), except (i) for minor defects in title and other encumbrances that constitute Liens permitted by Section 6.02 that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and (ii) as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)  Schedule 3.20(b) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all material real property leased by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have valid leases in all the real property set forth on Schedule 3.20(b), except (i) for minor defects in title and other encumbrances that constitute Liens permitted by Section 6.02 that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and (ii) as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.21.  Labor Matters.  As of the date hereof and the Closing Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters in any manner which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary except

 

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where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

SECTION 3.22.  Solvency.  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of each Loan (if any) on the Closing Date, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

SECTION 3.23.  Sanctioned Persons.  Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

SECTION 4.01.  All Credit Events.  On the date of each Borrowing (other than a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing), including each Borrowing of a Swingline Loan and on the date of each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (each such event being called a “Credit Event”):

(a)  The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of such Borrowing as required by Section 2.03 (or such notice shall have been deemed given in accordance with Section 2.02) or, in the case of the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.23(b) or, in the case of the Borrowing of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting such Swingline Loan as required by Section 2.22(b).

 

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(b)  The representations and warranties set forth in Article III and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Event with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date.

(c)  At the time of and immediately after such Credit Event, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d)  Unless such Credit Event consists solely of the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, and at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto the aggregate L/C Exposure would be less than $2,000,000, then, at the time of such Credit Event and after giving effect thereto the Borrower would have been in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b), as applicable, (whether or not the Borrower was otherwise required to be in compliance with such Sections at such time), using, for purposes of Section 6.11, the Total Debt outstanding on the date of such Credit Event and after giving effect thereto.

Each Credit Event shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 4.01.

SECTION 4.02.  First Credit Event.  On the Closing Date:

(a)  The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, a favorable written opinion of (i) Hogan & Hartson LLP, counsel for the Borrower, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit H-1, and (ii) each local counsel listed on Schedule 4.02(a), substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit H-2, in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (C) covering such other matters relating to the Loan Documents and the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and the Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

(b)  All legal matters incident to this Agreement, the Borrowings and extensions of credit hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to the Lenders, to the Issuing Bank and to the Administrative Agent.

(c)  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, including all amendments thereto, of each Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan

 

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Party dated the Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since, or prior to, the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that the certificate or articles of incorporation of such Loan Party have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above or reflected in the certified documents furnished by such Secretary of State, and (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party; (iii) a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above; and (iv) such other documents as the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(d)  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 4.01.

(e)  The Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

(f)  Except as provided in Section 5.12(b), the Security Documents shall have been duly executed by each Loan Party that is to be a party thereto and shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date. The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have a security interest in the Collateral of the type and priority described in each Security Document.

(g)  The Collateral Agent shall have received a Perfection Certificate with respect to the Loan Parties dated the Closing Date and duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, and shall have received the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code filings (or equivalent filings) made with respect to the Loan Parties in the states (or other jurisdictions) of formation of such persons, and, to the extent required by the Collateral Agent, in which the chief executive office of each such person is located and in the other jurisdictions in which such persons maintain property, in each case as indicated on such Perfection Certificate, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search, and accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement (or similar document) would be permitted under Section 6.02 or have been or will be contemporaneously released or terminated.

 

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(h)  (i) Each of the Security Documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, relating to each of the Mortgaged Properties shall have been duly executed by the parties thereto and delivered to the Collateral Agent and shall be in full force and effect, (ii) each of such Mortgaged Properties shall not be subject to any Lien other than those permitted under Section 6.02, (iii) each of such Security Documents shall have been filed and recorded in the recording office as specified on Schedule 3.19(c) (or a lender’s title insurance policy, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, insuring such Security Document as a first lien on such Mortgaged Property (subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02 or such Mortgage) shall have been received by the Collateral Agent) and, in connection therewith, the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of each such filing and recordation and (iv) the Collateral Agent shall have received such other documents, including a policy or policies of title insurance issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company, together with such endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, insuring the Mortgages as valid first liens on the Mortgaged Properties, free of Liens other than those permitted under Section 6.02 or such Mortgage, together with such surveys, abstracts, appraisals and legal opinions required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the Mortgages or as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent.

(i)  The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of, or a certificate as to coverage under, the insurance policies required by Section 5.02 and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a customary lender’s loss payable endorsement and to name the Collateral Agent as additional insured, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(j)  The Borrower shall have received gross cash proceeds of not less than $318,035,250.00 from the issuance of Senior Secured Notes pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

(k)  All principal, premium, if any, interest, fees and other amounts due or outstanding under the Existing Debt shall have been paid in full, the commitments thereunder terminated and all guarantees and security in support thereof discharged and released, and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence thereof. Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness other than (a) Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement, (b) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.01, (c) Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and (d) other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Agreement in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not in excess of $5,000,000.

(l)  The Lenders shall have received the financial statements and opinion referred to in Section 3.05, none of which shall demonstrate a material adverse change in the financial condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole from (and shall not otherwise be materially inconsistent with) the financial statements or forecasts previously provided to the Lenders.

 

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(m)  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Financial Officer of the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, are solvent (determined in a manner consistent with the representation in Section 3.22).

(n)  All requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties set forth on Schedule 3.04 shall have approved or consented to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby to the extent required, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired and there shall not be any pending or threatened litigation, governmental, administrative or judicial action that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose materially burdensome conditions on the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, in each case, except as identified on Schedule 3.04.

(o)  The Lenders shall have received, to the extent requested, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

(p)  Except for the Disclosed Matters, there shall be no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any business, property or rights of any such person that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all outstanding Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired (or other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall have been made with respect thereto) and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

SECTION 5.01.  Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and Properties.  (a)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05.

 

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(b)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business; maintain and operate such business in substantially the manner in which it is presently conducted and operated; comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted, except where the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and at all times maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition (other than wear and tear occurring in the ordinary course of business) and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section 5.01 shall prevent (i) sales of property, consolidations or mergers in accordance with Section 6.05; (ii) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of its qualification as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where such withdrawal, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) the abandonment by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names that such person reasonably determines are not useful to its business or no longer commercially desirable.

SECTION 5.02.  Insurance.  (a)  Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower or such Subsidiary operates. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Loan Parties shall maintain or cause to be maintained replacement value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its commercially reasonable judgment. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each business interruption and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, that names the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as the loss payee thereunder for any covered loss in excess of $1,000,000 and provides for at least 10 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent of any cancellation of such policy.

(b)  If at any time the area in which the Premises (as defined in the Mortgages) are located is designated (i) a “flood hazard area” with an assigned “Federal Flood Zone” designation in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), obtain flood insurance in such total amount as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may from time to time require, and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as it may be amended from time to time, or (ii) a “Zone 1” area, obtain earthquake insurance in such total amount as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may from time to time require.

 

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(c)  With respect to any Mortgaged Property, carry and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance including the “Technology General Liability Extension Endorsement” and coverage on an occurrence basis against claims made for personal injury (including bodily injury, death and property damage) with a per occurrence limit of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 in the aggregate and umbrella liability insurance for a combined single limit of no less than $35,000,000, naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, on forms satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

(d)  Notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent promptly whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.02 is taken out by any Loan Party; and promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a duplicate original copy of such policy or policies.

SECTION 5.03.  Taxes and Claims.  Pay and discharge promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as (i) such tax or claim (including any interest, penalties and additions thereto), together with all other taxes or claims (including any interest, penalties and additions thereto) then remaining unpaid, does not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate or (ii) the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested obligation, tax, assessment or charge and enforcement of a Lien and, in the case of a Mortgaged Property, there is no risk of forfeiture of such property.

SECTION 5.04.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc.  In the case of the Borrower, furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall furnish to each Lender:

(a)  within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such year, together with comparative figures for the immediately preceding fiscal year, all audited by BDO Seidman, LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall be without a “going concern” explanatory note or any similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

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(b)  within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2010, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, and comparative figures for the same periods in the immediately preceding fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as fairly presenting the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c)  concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a), or (b) above, a certificate of the accounting firm (in the case of paragraph (a)) or Financial Officer (in the case of paragraph (a), to the extent not included in a certificate of the accounting firm, and paragraph (b)) opining on or certifying such statements (which certificate, when furnished by an accounting firm, may be limited to accounting matters and/or compliance with the financial covenants hereunder and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations) (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent calculating the Interest Coverage Ratio, the Leverage Ratio and the Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the period covered by such financial statements and, if applicable, demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11;

(d)  within 90 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Borrower, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, a detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget) and, promptly when available, any significant revisions of such budget;

(e)  promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(f)  promptly after the receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, a copy of any final “management letter” received by any such person from its certified public accountants and the management’s response thereto;

 

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(g)  promptly after the request by any Lender, all documentation and other information that such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act;

(h)  promptly after the request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or the applicable ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; and

(i)  promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

SECTION 5.05.  Litigation and Other Notices.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice, who shall give prompt written notice to the Issuing Bank and each Lender, of the following:

(a)  any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

(b)  the filing or commencement of, or any written non-frivolous (as reasonably determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) threat or written non-frivolous (as reasonably determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) notice of intention of any person to file or commence (in each case, that is actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower), any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority, against the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)  any development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(d)  any change in the Borrowers’ corporate rating by S&P, in the Borrowers’ corporate family rating by Moody’s or in the ratings of the Credit Facilities or the Senior Secured Notes by S&P or Moody’s, or any written notice actually received from either such agency indicating its intent to effect such a change or to place the Borrower, the Credit Facilities or the Senior Secured Notes on a “CreditWatch” or “WatchList” or any substantially similar list maintained by S&P or Moody’s, in each case with negative implications, or its cessation of, or its intent to cease, rating the Borrower, the Credit Facilities or the Senior Secured Notes.

 

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SECTION 5.06.  Information Regarding Collateral.  (a)  Except in connection with a transaction permitted by Section 6.05 following which any Loan Party shall cease to be a Loan Party, furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s corporate name, (ii) in the jurisdiction of organization or formation of any Loan Party, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or corporate structure or (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. The Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral as contemplated hereunder and by the Security Documents. The Borrower also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.

(b)  In the case of the Borrower, each year, at the time of delivery of the annual financial statements with respect to the preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.04(a), deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the information required pursuant to Section 2 of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Closing Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.06.

SECTION 5.07.  Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings.  (a)  Keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all requirements of law are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent (for itself and the Lenders) to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of such person at reasonable times and not more than once each fiscal year prior to an Event of Default, and at reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested during the continuance of an Event of Default and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent (for itself and the Lenders) to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of such person with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor.

(b)  In the case of the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to cause the Credit Facilities to be continuously rated by S&P and Moody’s, and (ii) to maintain a corporate rating from S&P and a corporate family rating from Moody’s, in each case in respect of the Borrower.

SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes specified in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 5.09.  Employee Benefits.  (a)  Comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent as soon as possible after, and in any event within ten days after any responsible officer of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000, a statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Environmental Laws.  Comply, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other persons occupying its properties to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and properties; obtain and renew all material environmental permits necessary for its operations and properties; and conduct any remedial action required by and in accordance with Environmental Laws; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall be required to undertake any remedial action required by Environmental Laws to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 5.11.  Preparation of Environmental Reports.  If a Default caused by reason of a breach of Section 3.17 or Section 5.10 shall have occurred and be continuing for more than 20 Business Days without the Borrower or any Subsidiary commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default, at the written request of the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, provide to the Lenders within 45 days after such request, at the expense of the Loan Parties, an environmental site assessment report regarding the matters which are the subject of such Default prepared by an environmental consulting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or remedial action in connection with such Default.

SECTION 5.12.  Further Assurances.  (a)  Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) that may be required under applicable law, or that the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and first priority of the security interests created or intended to be created hereunder and by the Security Documents. Any Parent shall, and the Borrower will cause any subsequently acquired or organized Domestic Subsidiary (and, to the extent no adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would result therefrom, Foreign Subsidiary) to, become a Loan Party by executing or joining the Guarantee Agreement and each applicable Security Document in favor of the Collateral Agent. In addition, from time to time, each Loan Party will, at its cost and expense, promptly secure the Bank Obligations by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, in accordance hereunder and with the applicable

 

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Security Documents, perfected security interests with respect to such of its assets and properties intended to comprise Collateral hereunder and under the Security Documents as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall designate (it being understood that it is the intent of the parties that the Bank Obligations shall be secured by substantially all the assets of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and any Parent (including real and other properties acquired subsequent to the Closing Date but subject to the exceptions described herein and in the Security Documents)). Such security interests and Liens on the Collateral will be created under the Security Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other instruments and documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and the relevant Loan Party shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Lenders all such instruments and documents (including legal opinions, title insurance policies and lien searches) as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with this Section; provided that Mortgages and related documents reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent shall be provided only in respect of fee owned property promptly following the request of the Collateral Agent and only in respect of such property having a book value in excess of $250,000 individually (and in furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower will give prompt notice to the Administrative Agent of the acquisition by any Loan Party of any such real property interests). Each of the Loan Parties agrees to provide such evidence as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request as to the perfection and priority status of each such security interest and Lien.

(b)  As soon as practicable but in any event within 90 days after the Closing Date (or such later date that the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may permit), the Borrower shall take or cause its Subsidiaries to take the actions set forth on Schedule 5.12.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all outstanding Letters of Credit have been cancelled or have expired (or other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank have been made with respect thereto) and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, nor will it cause or permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness.  Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)  Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (other than in respect of the Senior Secured Notes);

 

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(b)  intercompany Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(c);

(c)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement or lease of any equipment, fixed or capital assets, and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 120 days after such acquisition or lease or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(c), when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(d), shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(d)  Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations (including those arising in connection with any sale and lease-back transaction permitted pursuant to Section 6.03) in an aggregate principal amount, when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(c), not in excess of $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(e)  Indebtedness under statutory or regulatory obligations, bankers’ acceptances, governmental contracts, or with respect to workers’ compensation claims, and Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) pursuant to any guaranties, performance bonds, letters of credit, surety bonds, pledges, deposits, return of money bonds or other arrangements made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, contracts, leases, franchises, surety, statutory, regulatory or other similar governmental obligations, appeal bonds, or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(f)  the Senior Secured Notes, and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as (i) the outstanding aggregate principal amount thereof is not increased (except by an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid interest and premium thereon or other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement) and (ii) neither the final maturity nor the weighted average life to maturity of the Senior Secured Notes is decreased;

(g)  Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing the performance of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in connection with Permitted Acquisitions or permitted dispositions of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(h)  Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts;

 

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(i)  Guarantees (other than in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money) in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(j)  Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01; provided, that if the Indebtedness that is being Guaranteed is unsecured and/or subordinated to the Bank Obligations, the Guarantee shall also be unsecured and/or subordinated to the Bank Obligations;

(k)  Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and described in Schedule 6.01, but not any extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements of such Indebtedness except (i) extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness expressly provided for in the agreements evidencing any such Indebtedness as the same are in effect on the date of this Agreement and (ii) extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness if the terms (other than economic terms) and conditions thereof are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced, and the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced; provided, such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii) above shall not (A) include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced, (B) exceed in a principal amount the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced plus the amount of any interest, premium, or penalties required to be paid thereon plus fees and expenses associated therewith or (C) be incurred, created or assumed if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

(l)  (i)  Indebtedness of a person or Indebtedness attaching to assets of a person that, in either case, becomes a Subsidiary or Indebtedness attaching to assets that are acquired by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case after the Closing Date (including pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any one time outstanding, provided that (x) such Indebtedness existed at the time such person became a Subsidiary or otherwise at the time any such Permitted Acquisition was consummated or at the time such assets were acquired and, in each case, was not created in anticipation thereof and (y) such Indebtedness is not Guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than by any such person that so becomes a Subsidiary), and (ii) any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any Indebtedness specified in subclause (i) above, provided, that (1) the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased above the principal amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement plus the amount of any interest, premium or penalties required to be paid thereon plus fees and expenses associated therewith, (2) the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Indebtedness are not changed and (3) such Indebtedness shall not be secured by any assets other than the assets securing the Indebtedness being renewed, extended or refinanced;

 

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(m)  Indebtedness in respect of Hedging Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 6.04;

(n)  other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $15,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that, except as permitted by Section 6.02(q), (s) or (t), such Indebtedness shall not be secured by any Lien; and

(o)  (i)  other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries; provided that at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and after giving effect thereto (and the application of proceeds therefrom), the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to such incurrence for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as the case may be, and Section 5.04(c) have been delivered or for which comparable financial statements have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (whether or not compliance with such Sections was required at the time pursuant thereto), after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and to any other event occurring after such period as to which pro forma recalculation is appropriate as if such incurrence had occurred as of the first day of such period and (ii) any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as (x) the outstanding aggregate principal amount thereof is not increased (except by an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid interest and premium thereon or other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement) and (y) neither the final maturity nor the weighted average life to maturity of such Indebtedness is decreased.

SECTION 6.02.  Liens.  Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including Equity Interests or other securities of any person, including any Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a)  Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02 or on a title report delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(h) or Section 5.12; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations which they secure on the date hereof and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof permitted hereunder;

(b)  any Lien created under the Loan Documents (including to secure Indebtedness referred to in Section 6.01(f));

 

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(c)  any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or assets of any person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (including pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition), and Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(l) above, as the case may be; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such person becoming a Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien secures only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such person becomes a Subsidiary (and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof), as the case may be;

(d)  Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

(e)  carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlords’ mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, banks’ (including rights of set-off) or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business or imposed by law and securing obligations that are not due and payable or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

(f)  pledges and deposits made (including in respect of letters of credit) and letters of credit provided in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(g)  deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), statutory, regulatory or other similar governmental obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, return of money bonds, bankers’ acceptances, government contracts, and letters of credit provided (and deposits to secure such letters of credit) in connection with any of the foregoing, and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)  zoning (or similar) restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount and do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i)  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(c) and Section 6.01(d); provided that (i) with respect to Indebtedness under Section 6.01(c), such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 120 days after such acquisition or lease or the completion of such construction or improvement, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the lesser of the cost or the fair market value of such fixed or capital assets, improvements or equipment at the time of such acquisition, improvement, construction or lease and (iii) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

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(j)  Liens arising out of judgments or awards in connection with court proceedings which do not constitute an Event of Default;

(k)  any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real property permitted hereunder;

(l)  Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(m)  purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(n)  Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(o)  non-exclusive outbound licenses of patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights granted by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of or materially detracting from the value of the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

(p)  Southern Liens;

(q)  Liens on the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than the Collateral) securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(b) or (n);

(r)  Liens on real or personal property, including broadband facilities and equipment, acquired or improved with Federal funds to secure any Federal Stimulus Grant Funds;

(s)  other Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, secure obligations (or encumber property with a fair market value) in excess of $5,000,000 at any one time; and

(t)  other Liens securing Indebtedness; provided that (i) after giving effect to the incurrence, acquisition, creation or assumption of such Lien and the application of proceeds therefrom, the Secured Leverage Ratio would not exceed 3.25:1.00, (ii) to the extent such Liens extend to any Collateral, the person providing such secured Indebtedness (or an authorized representative on its behalf) shall enter into a joinder to the Intercreditor Agreement as an additional first lien secured party or another intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent on customary terms, which shall in any event provide

 

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that the Bank Obligations shall be paid in full in cash out of the proceeds of any Collateral prior to the payment of such Indebtedness on terms no less favorable to the Bank Secured Parties than those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) such Indebtedness shall not require any scheduled payment of principal prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and provided further that solely for the purpose of calculating compliance with the Secured Leverage Ratio at the time of any incurrence of Indebtedness referred to in this Section, Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations and other obligations of the type referred to in Section 6.01(c) incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(l), may be excluded from such calculation up to an aggregate principal amount of $30,000,000 outstanding at the time of such calculation.

SECTION 6.03.  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.  Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred unless (a) the sale or transfer of such property is permitted by Section 6.05 and (b) any Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations or Liens arising in connection therewith are permitted by Sections 6.01 and 6.02, as the case may be.

SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans and Advances.  Purchase, hold or acquire any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other person, except:

(a)  (i)  investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries and other investments set forth on Schedule 6.04 and (ii) additional investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries; provided that (A) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to voting stock of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to therein and other limitations permitted pursuant to Section 6.06(b)) and (B) the aggregate amount of investments made after the Closing Date by Loan Parties in, and loans and advances made after the Closing Date by Loan Parties to, Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(b)  Permitted Investments;

(c)  loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Agreement and (ii) the amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (a) above;

 

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(d)  investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e)  accounts receivable arising, and trade credit granted, in the ordinary course of business, and investments in any Equity Interests or other securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and any deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

(f)  the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to their respective employees so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $5,000,000;

(g)  the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may enter into Hedging Agreements that are not speculative in nature;

(h)  the Borrower or any Subsidiary may acquire all or substantially all the assets of a person or line of business of such person, or the Borrower or any Subsidiary may acquire not less than 100% of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of a person (referred to herein as the “Acquired Entity”); provided that (i) such acquisition was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by, the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) the Acquired Entity shall be in a similar line of business as that of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as conducted during the current and most recent preceding calendar year; and (iii) at the time of such transaction (A) both before and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (B) the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to such transaction for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as the case may be, and Section 5.04(c) have been delivered or for which comparable financial statements have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (whether or not compliance with such Sections was required at the time pursuant thereto), after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and to any other transaction occurring after such period as to which pro forma adjustments shall be required pursuant to Section 1.03, as if each such transaction had occurred as of the first day of such period; (C) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer, certifying as to the foregoing and containing reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and (D) the Borrower shall comply, and shall cause the Acquired Entity (or if the Acquired

 

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Entity is not the surviving person of any merger or consolidation through which such transaction is effected, such surviving person in such transaction) to comply, with the applicable provisions of Section 5.12 and the Security Documents (any acquisition of assets, line of business or an Acquired Entity meeting all the criteria of this Section 6.04(h) being referred to herein as a “Permitted Acquisition”);

(i)  non-cash consideration issued by the purchaser of assets in connection with a sale of such assets to the extent permitted by Section 6.05; and

(j)  in addition to investments permitted by paragraphs (a) through (i) above, additional investments, loans and advances by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate amount invested, loaned or advanced pursuant to this paragraph (j) (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) does not exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate.

SECTION 6.05.  Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions.  (a)  Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all the assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) of the Borrower or less than all the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other person, except that (i) the Borrower and any Subsidiary may purchase and sell inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing (A) any wholly owned Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (B) any wholly owned Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any other wholly owned Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a wholly owned Subsidiary and no person other than the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary receives any consideration (provided that if any party to any such transaction is a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be a Loan Party), (C) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any other Foreign Subsidiary, (D) any Subsidiary may be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary, (E) any Foreign Subsidiary may be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to any Foreign Subsidiary, (F) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make Permitted Acquisitions, including for purposes of this clause (F), by merger or consolidation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with or into the Acquired Entity, provided that the Borrower shall be the surviving person of any such merger or consolidation involving the Borrower, and (G) Subsidiaries of the Borrower may engage in any Permitted Reorganization.

 

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(b)  Make any Asset Sale otherwise permitted under paragraph (a) above, except:

(i)  in a transaction referred to in Section 6.03; provided that the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred, leased or disposed of pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $15,000,000;

(ii)  sales, transfers or other dispositions set forth in Schedule 6.05;

(iii)  any Permitted Reorganization;

(iv)  Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 6.06(a);

(v)  in a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; and

(vi)  any other Asset Sale (x) for consideration at least 75% of which is cash, (y) such consideration is at least equal to the fair market value of the assets being sold, transferred, leased or disposed of and (z) the fair market value of all assets sold, transferred, leased or disposed of pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate, with, for purposes of (y) and (z), such fair market value determined in good faith by the board of directors or other similar governing body of the entity making such sale, transfer, lease or disposition.

To the extent any Subsidiary or Collateral is sold as permitted by this Section 6.05 and the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, or the Required Lenders or all the Lenders, as applicable, waive the provisions of this Section 6.05 and the requisite holders of the Senior Secured Notes waive any applicable prohibitions of the Senior Secured Notes Indenture with respect to the sale of any Subsidiary or Collateral, such Subsidiary or Collateral (unless sold to a Loan Party) shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Agents shall take all actions reasonably requested by the applicable Loan Party, at the sole cost and expense of the applicable Loan Party, in order to effect the foregoing.

SECTION 6.06.  Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements.  (a)  Declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement), or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so; provided, however, that (i) any Subsidiary may declare and make dividends or make other distributions ratably to holders of its Equity Interest, (ii) the Borrower and any Subsidiary may purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value, or make any payment on account thereof, any of the Equity Interests of the Borrower (A) in exchange for other Equity Interests of the Borrower (including in connection with a Benefit Plan Exchange Offer), (B) upon the conversion of preferred Equity Interests of the Borrower or the vesting, delivery, exercise, exchange or conversion of stock options, restricted stock units, warrants or similar rights to acquire Equity Interests of the Borrower, (C) in connection with any tender by the holder of Equity Interests of the Borrower of such Equity Interests in payment of withholding or other taxes relating to the vesting, delivery, exercise, exchange or conversion of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, warrants or other Equity Interests of the Borrower or other similar rights to acquire Equity Interests of the Borrower or (D) if tendered in settlement of indemnification or similar claims by the Borrower against a

 

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holder of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, (iii) so long as no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may, repurchase its Equity Interests owned by directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries, make payments in the form of a dividend to any Parent in order to fund the repurchase of the Equity Interests of any Parent owned by directors, officers or employees of any Parent, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or make payments to directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries upon termination of employment in connection with the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar equity incentives or equity based incentives pursuant to management incentive plans or in connection with the death or disability of such directors, officers or employees in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years), (iv) Restricted Payments may be made to a Loan Party in connection with a Permitted Reorganization, (v) the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may dividend or distribute cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares of its Equity Interests in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000, and (vi) the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may make Permitted Payments to Parent.

(b)  Enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (i) the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure the Bank Obligations, or (ii) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document; (B) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to sales of assets and the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets or Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder; (C) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions contained in the Senior Secured Notes Documents or documents governing other secured Indebtedness pursuant to Section 6.02(t); provided that such restrictions and conditions shall be no more restrictive than the restrictions and conditions imposed by the Senior Secured Notes Documents; (D) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; (E) the foregoing shall not apply to any instrument governing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l) assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any person, or the properties or assets of any person, other than the person or the properties or assets of the person so acquired; (F) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; (G) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof; (H) the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements and similar agreements entered into in

 

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the ordinary course of business; (I) the foregoing shall not apply to any agreement in effect at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such agreement was not entered into in connection with or in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary; and (J) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to the Southern Company Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date or as such is permitted to be amended, supplemented, renewed, replaced, or otherwise modified from time to time, in each case, pursuant to Section 6.09(a)(iii).

SECTION 6.07.  Transactions with Affiliates.  Except for transactions between or among Loan Parties, sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may engage in any of the foregoing transactions at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties; provided, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (a) fees paid to members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (b) compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business; (c) the provision of officers’ and directors’ indemnification and insurance in the ordinary course of business to the extent permitted by applicable law; (d) transactions described in Schedule 6.07; (e) transactions or payments permitted by Sections 6.01, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05 or 6.06; (f) Liens permitted by Section 6.02; and (g) a Parent Transaction; provided, further, that nothing in the foregoing is intended to or shall prohibit payments on or in respect of Indebtedness permitted hereunder.

SECTION 6.08.  Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.  Engage at any time in any business or business activity other than the business currently conducted by it and business activities reasonably incidental thereto or (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or other similar governing body of the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary) reasonable extensions thereof.

SECTION 6.09.  Other Indebtedness and Agreements.  Permit (i) any waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release of any indenture, instrument or agreement pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is outstanding if the effect of such waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release would materially increase the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or confer additional material rights on the holder of such Indebtedness in each case in a manner materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; (ii) any waiver, supplement, modification or amendment of the Governance Agreement or of its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational documents, in each case to the extent any such waiver, supplement, modification or amendment would be adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, provided that the Borrower or any Subsidiary (x) may issue Equity Interests so long as such issuance is not prohibited by Section 6.06(a) or Section 6.13, and (y) may amend or modify its organizational documents to authorize any such Equity Interests or to effect any Permitted Reorganization; or (iii) any waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, renewal or replacement of the Southern Company

 

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Agreement, in each case to the extent any such waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, renewal or replacement would be materially more adverse to the Liens of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents.

SECTION 6.10.  Interest Coverage Ratio.  If during any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, any Loan, L/C Disbursement or Letter of Credit is outstanding (other than one or more L/C Disbursements or Letters of Credit so long as the aggregate L/C Exposure with respect thereto does not exceed $2,000,000), permit the Interest Coverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter ending during a period set forth below, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2010, to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such period below:

 

Period

   Ratio

Closing Date through September 30, 2011

   2:00:1.00

October 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012

   2.15:1.00

July 1, 2012 and thereafter

   2.25:1.00

SECTION 6.11.  Maximum Leverage Ratio.  If during any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, any Loan, L/C Disbursement or Letter of Credit is outstanding (other than one or more L/C Disbursements or Letters of Credit so long as the aggregate L/C Exposure with respect thereto does not exceed $2,000,000), permit the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter ending during a period set forth below, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2010, to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such period below:

 

Period

   Ratio

Closing Date through September 30, 2011

   5.00:1.00

October 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012

   4.75:1.00

July 1, 2012 and thereafter

   4.50:1.00

SECTION 6.12.  Fiscal Year.  With respect to the Borrower, change its fiscal year-end to a date other than December 31.

SECTION 6.13.  Certain Equity Securities.  Issue any Equity Interest that is not Qualified Capital Stock.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

If any of the following events shall occur (“Events of Default”):

(a)  any representation or warranty made or deemed made in any Loan Document, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document in writing, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;

 

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(b)  default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any L/C Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

(c)  default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or any Fee or L/C Disbursement or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

(d)  default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a), 5.05 or 5.08 or in Article VI;

(e)  default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower;

(f)  (i)  the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any principal, interest or other amount due in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable or (ii) any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or that results in the termination or permits any counterparty to terminate any Hedging Agreement the obligations under which constitute Material Indebtedness; provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(g)  an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or a Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

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(h)  the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (g) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(i)  one or more judgments shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action (to the extent not effectively stayed) shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment and such judgment is for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $7,500,000 (to the extent not paid or to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage);

(j)  an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $7,500,000;

(k)  any Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement for any reason shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor shall deny in writing that it has any further liability under the Guarantee Agreement (in each case, other than in accordance with its terms or other than as a result of the discharge or sale or other disposition of such Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

(l)  any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except as the result of a release of Collateral or the discharge or sale or other disposition of such Loan Party in accordance with

 

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the terms of the Loan Documents, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control (but only to the extent that the Borrower has provided such person sufficient information to take such action) and/or except to the extent that such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the related insurer promptly after such loss shall have acknowledged in writing that such loss is covered by such title insurance policy;

(m)  prior to the discharge of the obligations under and termination of the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement shall, in whole or in part, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against any party thereto (or against any person on whose behalf any such party makes any covenants or agreements therein), or otherwise not be effective to create the rights and obligations purported to be created thereunder unless the same results directly from the action or inaction of the Administrative Agent or any Bank Secured Party; or

(n)  there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (for purposes of this Article VIII, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are referred to collectively as the “Agents”) its agent and authorizes the Agents to take such actions on its behalf and to

 

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exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents are hereby expressly authorized to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and any rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents, including Section 6.05. The Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent shall also act, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, as collateral agent for the holders of Senior Secured Notes and the holders of such other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

Without further written consent or authorization from the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by the Borrower of all of the Bank Obligations (other than any contingent obligation for which no claim has been made), (ii) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted hereby or to which the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 9.08) have otherwise consented, (iii) release any Guarantor from its Guarantee pursuant to Section 6.05 or with respect to which the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 9.08) have otherwise consented, (iv) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral constituting property in which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries owned no interest at the time the Collateral Agent’s Lien was granted pursuant to the Security Documents nor at any time thereafter, or (v) evidence that the Excluded Collateral (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) is not subject to the Lien granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents.

The institution serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

Neither Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) neither Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) neither Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that such Agent is instructed in writing to exercise by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders or Secured Parties as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08 or in the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, neither Agent shall have any duty to disclose, nor shall it be liable for the

 

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failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent or any of their Affiliates in any capacity. Neither Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders or Secured Parties as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08 or in the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and neither Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper person. Each Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Each Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities as well as activities as Agent.

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided below, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. If no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed pursuant to the immediately

 

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preceding sentence by the 30th day after the date such notice of resignation was given by such Administrative Agent, such Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective and the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties of such Administrative Agent hereunder and/or under any other Loan Document until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent. Any such resignation by such Administrative Agent hereunder shall also constitute, to the extent applicable, its resignation as an Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, in which case such resigning Administrative Agent (a) shall not be required to issue any further Letters of Credit or make any additional Swingline Loans hereunder and (b) shall maintain all of its rights as Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it, or Swingline Loans made by it, prior to the date of such resignation. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After an Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while acting as Administrative Agent. It is understood and agreed that no Competitor shall qualify or be appointed as a successor Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Each Lender hereby consents to and approves each and all of the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and irrevocably authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreement and to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies and perform its obligations thereunder.

No Bank Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Bank Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Agents on behalf of the Bank Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof (subject, in the case of the Collateral, to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement). In the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, any Secured Party may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other

 

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disposition, and the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Secured Party or Secured Parties in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by such Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties at such sale or other disposition. Each Bank Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Bank Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, the Lead Arranger is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; it being understood and agreed that the Lead Arranger shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of the Agents provided herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Lead Arranger in its capacity as such shall not, by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender, Loan Party or any other Person.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01.  Notices; Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:

(a)  if to the Borrower, to it at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, Attention of Richard E. Fish, Jr. (Fax No. (256) 382-3935), with a copy to Hogan & Hartson LLP, Columbia Square, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, Washington DC 20004, Attention: Benton R. Hammond (Fax No. (202) 637-5910);

(b)  if to the Administrative Agent, to Credit Suisse AG, Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, Attention of Loan Operations Agency Group (Fax No. (212) 322-2291), Email: agency.loanops@credit-suisse.com; and

(c)  if to a Lender, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by fax or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case

 

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delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01. As agreed to among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

The Borrower hereby agrees, unless directed otherwise by the Administrative Agent or unless the electronic mail address referred to below has not been provided by the Administrative Agent, that it will, or will cause the Subsidiaries to, provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents or to the Lenders under Article V, including all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (a) is or relates to a Borrowing Request, a notice pursuant to Section 2.10 or a notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.23, (b) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to the scheduled date therefor, (c) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (d) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any Borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications being referred to herein collectively as “Communications”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium that is properly identified in a format acceptable to the Administrative Agent to an electronic mail address as directed by the Administrative Agent. In addition, the Borrower agrees, and agrees to cause the Subsidiaries, to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as the case may be, in the manner specified in the Loan Documents but only to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of it hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that (i) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.16); (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public

 

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Investor;” and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Borrower Materials shall be marked “PUBLIC”, unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent promptly that any such document contains material non-public information: (A) the Loan Documents and (B) notification of changes in the terms of the Credit Facilities.

Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to, and receive, Communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or their securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES WARRANTS THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EACH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IS MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER OR NOT BASED ON STRICT LIABILITY AND INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY SUCH PERSON IS FOUND IN A FINAL RULING BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY FROM SUCH PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

The Administrative Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Administrative Agent at its e-mail address set forth above shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees that receipt of notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform shall

 

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constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

SECTION 9.02.  Survival of Agreement.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and the Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Issuing Bank, regardless of any investigation made by the Lenders or the Issuing Bank or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not been terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20, and 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank.

SECTION 9.03.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.  (a)  Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

(b)  Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided, however, that (i) each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender must also give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (provided that the consent of the Borrower shall not be required to any such assignment made to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or

 

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after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default), (ii) the aggregate amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender and its concurrently assigning Affiliates subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall be not less than, $1,000,000 (or, if less, the entire remaining amount of such Lender’s Commitment or Loans of the relevant Class), (iii) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually), and shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), and (iv) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, all applicable tax forms. Upon acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20 and 9.05, as well as to any Fees accrued for its account and not yet paid).

(c)  By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its Revolving Credit Commitment, and the outstanding balances of its Revolving Loans, in each case without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto, or the financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or observance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee and is legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.05(a) or delivered pursuant to Section 5.04, the Intercreditor Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (v) such assignee will independently and

 

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without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement; (vii) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, respectively, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (viii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

(d)  The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Collateral Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(e)  Upon its receipt of, and consent to, a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, an Administrative Questionnaire completed in respect of the assignee (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) above, if applicable, and the written consent of the Administrative Agent and, if required, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank to such assignment and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall promptly (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph (e).

(f)  Each Lender may without the consent of the Borrower, the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent sell participations to one or more banks or other persons (other than a Competitor) in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other persons shall be entitled to the benefit of the cost protection provisions contained in Sections 2.14, 2.16 and 2.20 to the same extent as if they were Lenders (but, with respect to any particular participant, to no greater extent than the Lender that sold the participation to such participant) and (iv) the Borrower, the

 

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Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans or L/C Disbursements and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than amendments, modifications or waivers decreasing any fees payable to such participating bank or person hereunder or the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on the Loans in which such participating bank or person has an interest, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on the Loans in which such participating bank or person has an interest, increasing or extending the Commitments in which such participating bank or person has an interest or releasing any Guarantor (other than in connection with the sale of such Guarantor in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05) or all or substantially all of the Collateral).

(g)  Any Lender or participant may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 9.04, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant any information relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure of information, each such assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall execute an agreement whereby such assignee or participant shall agree (subject to customary exceptions) to preserve the confidentiality of such confidential information on terms no less restrictive than those applicable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.16.

(h)  Any Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure extensions of credit to such Lender or in support of obligations owed by such Lender; provided that no such assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(i)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior

 

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indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

(j)  The Borrower shall not assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

(k)  In the event that any Revolving Credit Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender or S&P, Moody’s and Thompson’s BankWatch (or InsuranceWatch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are insurance companies (or Best’s Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is not rated by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a Revolving Credit Lender, downgrade the long-term certificate deposit ratings of such Lender, and the resulting ratings shall be below BBB-, Baa3 and C (or BB, in the case of a Lender that is an insurance company (or B, in the case of an insurance company not rated by InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)) (or, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender that is not rated by any such ratings service or provider, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall have reasonably determined that there has occurred a material adverse change in the financial condition of any such Lender, or a material impairment of the ability of any such Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, as compared to such condition or ability as of the date that any such Lender became a Revolving Credit Lender) then the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such Lender with an assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above), and such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above) all its interests, rights and obligations in respect of its Revolving Credit Commitment to such assignee; provided, however, that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any Governmental Authority and (ii) the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or such assignee, as the case may be, shall pay to such Lender in immediately available funds on the date of such assignment the principal of and interest accrued to the date of payment on the Loans made by such Lender hereunder and all other amounts accrued for such Lender’s account or owed to it hereunder.

SECTION 9.05.  Expenses; Indemnity.  (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay all actual reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender in connection

 

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with the syndication of the Credit Facilities and the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender; provided that such fees, charges and disbursements shall be limited to one external counsel (and appropriate local counsel) for all such persons unless there are actual or potential conflicting interests between or among such persons arising out of the matters within the scope of this Section 9.05(a).

(b)  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each Related Party of any of the foregoing persons (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel fees, charges and disbursements (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.05(a) above), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated thereby (including the syndication of the Credit Facilities), (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit, (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto (and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates), or (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(c)  To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the

 

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Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure, and unused Commitments at the time.

(d)  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e)  All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.06.  Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, except to the extent prohibited by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and other Loan Documents held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

SECTION 9.07.  Applicable Law.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN LETTERS OF CREDIT AND AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OR RULES DESIGNATED IN SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT, OR IF NO SUCH LAWS OR RULES ARE DESIGNATED, THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND PRACTICE FOR DOCUMENTARY CREDITS MOST RECENTLY PUBLISHED AND IN EFFECT, ON THE DATE SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT WAS ISSUED, BY THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (THE “UNIFORM CUSTOMS”) AND, AS TO MATTERS NOT GOVERNED BY THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 9.08.  Waivers; Amendment.  (a)  No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank in exercising any power or right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights

 

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and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b)  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any other Loan Document or any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall (i) decrease the principal amount of, or extend the maturity of or any scheduled principal payment date or date for the payment of any interest on any Loan or any date for reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement, or waive or excuse any such payment or any part thereof, or decrease the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Disbursement, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Required Lenders may waive any prepayment, and the Required Lenders and the Borrower may amend or modify any prepayment provisions), (ii) increase or extend the Commitment or decrease or extend the date for payment of any Fees of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender, (iii) (A) amend or modify the pro rata requirements of Section 2.17, the provisions of Section 9.04(j) or the provisions of this Section or (B) to the extent not otherwise permitted by the second paragraph of Article VIII, release any Guarantor or all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the prior written consent of each Lender, (iv) modify the protections afforded to an SPC pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(i) without the written consent of such SPC or (v) reduce the percentage contained in the definition of the term “Required Lenders” without the prior written consent of each Lender (it being understood that with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Revolving Credit Commitments on the date hereof); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender.

(c)  The Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend any Loan Document to correct administrative or manifest errors or omissions, or to effect administrative changes that are not adverse to any Lender; provided, however, that no such amendment shall become effective until the fifth Business Day after it has been posted to the Lenders, and then only if the Required Lenders have not objected in writing thereto within such five Business Day Period.

 

95


SECTION 9.09.  Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan or participation in any L/C Disbursement, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan or participation in such L/C Disbursement under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or participation in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan or participation hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or participation but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.09 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or participations or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 9.10.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any other previous agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto and thereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereunder (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

SECTION 9.12.  Severability.  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any

 

96


other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 9.13.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other customary means of electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.14.  Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.15.  Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.  (a)  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(b)  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or Federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(c)  Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

97


SECTION 9.16.  Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed only in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions, and further, only (a) to its and its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or quasi-regulatory authority (such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (provided that notice of receipt of such subpoena or other legal process shall be given to the Borrower as promptly as practicable), (d) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the enforcement of its rights hereunder or thereunder, (e) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.16, to (i) any actual or prospective assignee of or participant in any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective obligations, (f) with the consent of the Borrower in its sole discretion or (g) to the extent such Information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.16. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” shall mean all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary and related to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or their respective business, other than any such information that was available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of Information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.16 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such person would accord its own confidential information.

SECTION 9.17.  USA PATRIOT Act Notice.  Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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SECTION 9.18.  Application of Proceeds.  Upon receipt from the Collateral Agent of the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization upon any Collateral, including any Collateral consisting of cash, following the exercise of remedies provided for in Article VII (or after the Loans have automatically become due and payable as set forth in Article VII), the Administrative Agent shall apply such proceeds as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as such hereunder or under any other Loan Document) in connection with such collection, sale, foreclosure or realization or otherwise in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including all court costs and the fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document on behalf of any Loan Party and any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

SECOND, to the payment in full of Unfunded Advances/Participations (the amounts so applied to be distributed between or among the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks pro rata in accordance with the amounts of Unfunded Advances/Participations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

THIRD, to the payment in full of all other Bank Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Bank Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Bank Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution).

The Administrative Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement.

SECTION 9.19.  Lender Action.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party or any other obligor under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of setoff, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party, unless expressly provided for herein or in any other Loan Document, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. The provisions of this Section 9.19 are for the sole benefit of the Lenders and shall not afford any right to, or constitute a defense available to, any Loan Party.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

ITC^ DELTACOM, INC.,
    by   /s/ J. Thomas Mullis
  Name:   J. Thomas Mullis
  Title:   Senior Vice President-Legal and Regulatory, General Counsel and Secretary


CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, individually and as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank,
    by   /s/ Judith E. Smith
  Name:   Judith E. Smith
  Title:   Managing Director
    by   /s/ Kevin Buddhdew
  Name:   Kevin Buddhdew
  Title:   Associate


Exhibit A to the

Credit Agreement

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS REPLY FORM

 

 

I. General Information

 

Deal Name:

        

 

Lender Institution’s Legal Name for Documentation Purposes:

 

        
        

    

Name, Phone and Fax

        

Number of Individual(s) to Receive Draft(s):

 

        
        

    

Number of Signature Lines

        

Required:

 

        

 

II. Lender Contact Information

 

         CREDIT CONTACT    CLOSING CONTACT

Primary Contact Name:

 

             

Back-up Name:

 

             

Street Address

(for courier purposes):

           

Primary Contact Phone

Number:

 

             

Back-up Contact Phone

Number:

 

           

Primary Contact Fax Number:

 

             

Back-up Contact Fax

Number:

           

Primary Contact E-mail

Address:

 

             

Back-up Contact E-mail

Address:

             

* Please list any special function contacts on a separate sheet (i.e. L/C’s, Foreign Currency, Bid Loans, etc.)

 

         DEAL ADMINISTRATOR     

Primary Contact Name:

             

Back-up Name:

             

Street Address

(for courier purposes):

 

             

 

A-1


 

 

Primary Contact Phone

Number:

             
             
Primary Contact Fax Number:              
             

Primary Contact E-mail

Address:

             
                  

 

III. Financial Information, Compliance, Intralinks, Executed Closing Documents, Etc.

 

Bank Name:    

Address:

   

Department:

   

Contact Name:

   

Contact Phone:

   

Contact Fax:

   

Contact Email:

   

 

IV. Lender Fed Payment Instructions*

 

Bank Name:    

City and State:

   

ABA Routing Number:

   

Account Name:

   

Account Number:

   

Re:

   

Attention:

   

* Please list any additional or non-Fed payment instructions on a separate sheet.

 

V.

Tax Reporting Information1

TAX ID #:

 

 

1 Include tax form as applicable to lender

 

A-2


Exhibit B to the

Credit Agreement

Assignment and Acceptance

This Assignment and Acceptance (the “Assignment and Acceptance”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between the Assignor identified in item 1 below (the “Assignor”) and the Assignee identified in item 2 below (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by the Assignor to the Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.   Assignor:  

 

  
   

 

  
2.   Assignee:  

 

  
   

 

  
  [for each Assignee, indicate [affiliate][approved fund] of [identify Lender]
3.   Borrower:   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
4.   Administrative Agent:  

Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement

5.   Credit Agreement:  

Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010, among ITC^DeltaCom, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch as Administrative Agent

 

B-1


6.   Assigned Interest:     

 

Facility Assigned

(i.e., Revolving Credit

Commitment)

  

    Aggregate Amount of    

Commitment/Loans

for all Lenders1

  

Amount of

Commitment/Loans

Assigned8

   Percentage Assigned  of
Commitment/Loans2
   CUSIP Number
     $    $    %     

 

[7.   Trade Date:                                    ]3   

Effective Date:                                  , 20         [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR  
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]  
By:  

 

 
  Title:  
ASSIGNEE  
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]  
By:  

 

 
  Title:  

 

 

1 Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

3 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 

B-2


Consented to and Accepted:

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG,

CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as

Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender
By  

 

  Name
  Title:
By  

 

  Name
  Title:
[ITC^DELTACOM, INC.,]1
By  

 

  Name
  Title:

 

 

1 Borrower consent is required for assignments of Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that such consent of the Borrower shall not be required (i) if such assignment is made to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

B-3


Annex 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

1.    Representations and Warranties.

1.1    Assignor.    The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2.    Assignee.    The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.04 of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.04 of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Acceptance any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2.    Payments.    From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3.    General Provisions.    This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

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Exhibit C to the

Credit Agreement

[FORM OF]

BORROWING REQUEST

Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders referred to below

Eleven Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10010

Attention: Agency Group

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010, among ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the terms on which such Borrowing is requested to be made:

 

(A)    Date of Borrowing    
   (which is a Business Day)  

 

 
(B)    Principal Amount of Borrowing  

 

 
(C)    Type of Borrowing1  

 

 
(D)    Interest Period and the last day thereof  

 

 
   (in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing)    
(E)    Account Number and Location  

 

 

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that after giving effect to the Borrowing hereto, the Borrower would have been in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of the Credit Agreement as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b) of the Credit Agreement, as applicable, (whether or not the Borrower was otherwise required to be in compliance with such Sections at such time), using, for purposes of Section 6.11 of the Credit Agreement, the Total Debt outstanding on the Date of Borrowing and after giving effect hereto.

 

 

1 Specify the type (i.e., Eurodollar or ABR) of the Borrowing then being requested.

 

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ITC^DELTACOM, INC.,
 

By:

 

 

 

   

  Name:

  Title:

[Borrowing Request]

 

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Exhibit G to the

Credit Agreement

 

 

[FORM OF]

MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, SECURITY AGREEMENT

AND FINANCING STATEMENT

From

[NAME OF MORTGAGOR]

To

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

 

 

Dated as of:                     , 2010

Premises: [City], [State] (Site #                    )

                     County

 

 

 

 

 

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THIS MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT dated as of [], 2010 (this “Mortgage”), by [], a [] corporation, having an office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 (the “Mortgagor”), to THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., having an office at 900 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 425, Atlanta, Georgia 30338 (the “Mortgagee”) as Collateral Agent (as defined below) (on behalf of each of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Bank Secured Parties, the Trustee, for the ratable benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, and the Additional Secured Parties (if any), for the ratable benefit of the Additional Lenders (if any) (as such terms are defined below, and collectively, together with the Collateral Agent, the “First Lien Secured Parties”)).

WITNESSETH THAT:

Reference is made to (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010 (as it may hereafter be amended, refinanced, replaced, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among ITC^DeltaCom, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent (in such capacity, together with any successor administrative agent, the “Administrative Agent”), (ii) the Indenture dated as of April 9, 2010 (as it may hereafter be amended, refinanced, replaced, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Borrower, the subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity, together with any successor trustee, the “Trustee”), (iii) the Security Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010 (as it may hereafter be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Security Agreement”), among the Borrower, the subsidiaries of the Borrower identified therein, the Administrative Agent, the Trustee and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and (iv) the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010 (the “First Lien Intercreditor Agreement”), among the Borrower, the subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement.

In the Credit Agreement, (i) the Lenders have agreed to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower, (ii) the Swingline Lender has agreed to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower, (iii) the Issuing Bank has issued or agreed to issue from time to time Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower and (iv) the Loan Parties may enter into Hedging Agreements with Hedge Providers, in each case pursuant to, upon the terms, and subject to the conditions specified in, the Credit Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Pursuant to the Indenture, the Borrower has issued, and may issue in the future, its 10.5% senior secured notes due 2016 (the “Notes”). As set forth in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Borrower may from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein and in the Security

 

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Agreement and the other First Lien Credit Documents (as defined below), designate Indebtedness and other obligations at the time of incurrence to be secured on a pari passu basis with the then outstanding First Lien Obligations as Additional First Lien Obligations.

Mortgagor is a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the transactions contemplated by the Indenture Documents, the Loan Documents, the Hedging Agreements and the Additional Agreements (if any) (collectively, the “First Lien Credit Documents”). In order to induce the Lenders to make Revolving Loans, the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans, the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit, the Hedge Providers to enter into Hedging Agreements from time to time, the Holders to purchase the Notes and the Additional Lenders (if any) to enter into Additional Agreements (if any), the Mortgagor has agreed to guarantee, among other things, the due and punctual payment and performance of the First Lien Obligations and to enter into this Mortgage in order to grant to the Mortgagee for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties a lien on and security interest in the Mortgaged Property (as hereinafter defined). The First Lien Credit Documents also require the granting by other Loan Parties of mortgages, deeds of trust and/or deeds to secure debt (the “Other Mortgages”) that create liens on and security interests in certain real and personal property other than the Mortgaged Property to secure the performance of the First Lien Obligations.

Granting Clauses

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF the foregoing and in order to secure the due and punctual payment and performance of the First Lien Obligations for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, Mortgagor hereby grants, conveys, mortgages, assigns and pledges to the Mortgagee, a mortgage lien on and a security interest in, all the following described property (the “Mortgaged Property”) whether now owned or held or hereafter acquired:

(1)    the land more particularly described on Exhibit A hereto (the “Land”), together with all rights appurtenant thereto, including the easements over certain other adjoining land granted by any easement agreements, covenant or restrictive agreements and all air rights, mineral rights, water rights, oil and gas rights and development rights, if any, relating thereto, and also together with all of the other easements, rights, privileges, interests, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any way appertaining and all of the estate, right, title, interest, claim or demand whatsoever of Mortgagor therein and in the streets and ways adjacent thereto, either in law or in equity, in possession or expectancy, now or hereafter acquired (the “Premises”);

(2)    all buildings, improvements, structures, paving, parking areas, walkways and landscaping now or hereafter erected or located upon the Land, and all fixtures of every kind and type affixed to the Premises or attached to or forming part of any structures, buildings or improvements and replacements thereof now or hereafter erected or located upon the Land (the “Improvements”);

 

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(3)    all apparatus, movable appliances, building materials, equipment, fittings, furnishings, furniture, machinery and other articles of tangible personal property of every kind and nature, and replacements thereof, now or at any time hereafter placed upon or used in any way in connection with the use, enjoyment, occupancy or operation of the Improvements or the Premises, including all of Mortgagor’s books and records relating thereto and including all pumps, tanks, goods, machinery, tools, equipment, lifts (including fire sprinklers and alarm systems, fire prevention or control systems, cleaning rigs, air conditioning, heating, boilers, refrigerating, electronic monitoring, water, loading, unloading, lighting, power, sanitation, waste removal, entertainment, communications, computers, recreational, window or structural, maintenance, truck or car repair and all other equipment of every kind), restaurant, bar and all other indoor or outdoor furniture (including tables, chairs, booths, serving stands, planters, desks, sofas, racks, shelves, lockers and cabinets), bar equipment, glasses, cutlery, uniforms, linens, memorabilia and other decorative items, furnishings, appliances, supplies, inventory, rugs, carpets and other floor coverings, draperies, drapery rods and brackets, awnings, venetian blinds, partitions, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures, freezers, refrigerators, walk-in coolers, signs (indoor and outdoor), computer systems, cash registers and inventory control systems, and all other apparatus, equipment, furniture, furnishings, and articles used in connection with the use or operation of the Improvements or the Premises, it being understood that the enumeration of any specific articles of property shall in no way result in or be held to exclude any items of property not specifically mentioned (the property referred to in this subparagraph (3), the “Personal Property”);

(4)    all general intangibles owned by Mortgagor and relating to design, development, operation, management and use of the Premises or the Improvements, all certificates of occupancy, zoning variances, building, use or other permits, approvals, authorizations and consents obtained from and all materials prepared for filing or filed with any governmental agency in connection with the development, use, operation or management of the Premises and Improvements, all construction, service, engineering, consulting, leasing, architectural and other similar contracts concerning the design, construction, management, operation, occupancy and/or use of the Premises and Improvements, all architectural drawings, plans, specifications, soil tests, feasibility studies, appraisals, environmental studies, engineering reports and similar materials relating to any portion of or all of the Premises and Improvements, and all payment and performance bonds or warranties or guarantees relating to the Premises or the Improvements, all to the extent assignable (the “Permits, Plans and Warranties”);

(5)    all now or hereafter existing leases or licenses (under which Mortgagor is landlord or licensor) and subleases (under which Mortgagor is sublandlord), concession, management, mineral or other agreements of a similar kind that permit the use or occupancy of the Premises or the Improvements for any purpose in return for any payment, or the extraction or taking of any gas, oil, water or other minerals from the Premises in return for payment of any fee, rent or royalty (collectively, “Leases”), and all agreements or contracts for the sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Premises or the Improvements, now or hereafter entered into by Mortgagor, together with all charges, fees, income, issues, profits, receipts, rents, revenues or royalties payable thereunder (“Rents”);

 

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(6)    all real estate tax refunds and all proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the Mortgaged Property into cash or liquidated claims and not otherwise payable to tenants under the Leases (“Proceeds”), including Proceeds of insurance maintained by the Mortgagor and condemnation awards, any awards that may become due by reason of the taking by eminent domain or any transfer in lieu thereof of the whole or any part of the Premises or Improvements or any rights appurtenant thereto, and any awards for change of grade of streets, together with any and all moneys now or hereafter on deposit for the payment of real estate taxes, assessments or common area charges levied against the Mortgaged Property, unearned premiums on policies of fire and other insurance maintained by the Mortgagor covering any interest in the Mortgaged Property or required by the First Lien Credit Documents; and

(7)    all extensions, improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutes and replacements of and all additions and appurtenances to, the Land, the Premises, the Improvements, the Personal Property, the Permits, Plans and Warranties and the Leases, hereinafter acquired by or released to the Mortgagor or constructed, assembled or placed by the Mortgagor on the Land, the Premises or the Improvements, and all conversions of the security constituted thereby, immediately upon such acquisition, release, construction, assembling, placement or conversion, as the case may be, and in each such case, without any further mortgage, deed of trust, conveyance, assignment or other act by the Mortgagor, all of which shall become subject to the lien of this Mortgage as fully and completely, and with the same effect, as though now owned by the Mortgagor and specifically described herein;

provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Mortgage, in no event shall the security interest granted under this Mortgage attach to any Excluded Collateral.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property unto the Mortgagee, its successors and assigns for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, forever, subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents and to satisfaction and release as provided in Section 3.04.

ARTICLE I

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Mortgagor

Mortgagor agrees, covenants, represents and/or warrants as follows:

SECTION 1.01.    Title, Mortgage Lien.    (a) Mortgagor has good and marketable fee simple title to the Mortgaged Property, subject to Section 3.04 hereof and further subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents.

 

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(b)    The execution and delivery of this Mortgage is within Mortgagor’s corporate powers and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action. This Mortgage has been duly executed and delivered by Mortgagor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Mortgagor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(c)    The execution, delivery and recordation of this Mortgage (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect the lien of this Mortgage or otherwise delivered to Mortgagee for filing and/or recordation, (ii) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of Mortgagor or any order of any Governmental Authority, except to the extent such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon Mortgagor or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by Mortgagor, except to the extent such conflict, breach, default or other violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iv) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Mortgagor, except the lien of this Mortgage.

(d)    This Mortgage, when filed in the recording office for the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located, and the Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statements described in Section 1.09 of this Mortgage, when duly recorded in the public records identified in the Perfection Certificate will create a valid, perfected and enforceable lien upon and security interest in all of the Mortgaged Property.

(e)    Except as provided in Section 3.04, Mortgagor will forever warrant and defend its title to the Mortgaged Property, the rights of Mortgagee therein under this Mortgage and the validity and priority of the lien of this Mortgage thereon against the claims of all persons and parties except those having rights under Liens permitted pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents to the extent of those rights.

SECTION 1.02.    First Lien Credit Documents.    This Mortgage is given pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents. Mortgagor expressly covenants and agrees to pay when due, and to timely perform, and to cause the other Loan Parties to pay when due, and to timely perform, the First Lien Obligations in accordance with the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents.

SECTION 1.03.    Payment of Taxes, and Other Obligations.    Mortgagor will pay and discharge from time to time prior to the time when the same shall become delinquent, and before any interest or penalty accrues thereon or attaches thereto, all Taxes and other obligations with respect to the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof or upon the Rents from the Mortgaged Property or arising in respect of the occupancy, use or possession thereof in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the First Lien Credit Documents.

 

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SECTION 1.04.    Maintenance of Mortgaged Property.    Mortgagor will maintain the Improvements and the Personal Property in the manner and to the extent required by the First Lien Credit Documents.

SECTION 1.05.    Insurance.    Mortgagor will keep or cause to be kept the Improvements and Personal Property insured against such risks, and in the manner, described in the First Lien Credit Documents and shall purchase such additional insurance as may be required from time to time pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents. Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination Forms will be purchased by Mortgagor for each Mortgaged Property on which Improvements are located. If any portion of Improvements constituting part of the Mortgaged Property is located in an area identified as a special flood hazard area by Federal Emergency Management Agency or other applicable agency, Mortgagor will purchase flood insurance in an amount satisfactory to Mortgagee, but in no event less than the maximum limit of coverage available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended.

SECTION 1.06.    Casualty Condemnation/Eminent Domain.    Mortgagor shall give Mortgagee prompt written notice of any material casualty or other material damage to the Mortgaged Property or any proceeding for the taking of the Mortgaged Property or any material portion thereof or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or any similar proceeding in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the First Lien Credit Documents. Any Net Cash Proceeds received by or on behalf of the Mortgagor in respect of any such casualty, damage or taking shall constitute trust funds held by the Mortgagor for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties to be applied to repair, restore or replace the Mortgaged Property or, if a prepayment event shall occur with respect to any such Net Cash Proceeds, to be applied in accordance with Section 2.13 of the Credit Agreement or other applicable provision of the other First Lien Credit Documents in accordance with the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 1.07.    Assignment of Leases and Rents.    (a) Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and absolutely (for the term of this Mortgage) grants, transfers and assigns all of its right title and interest in all Leases and Rents, together with any and all extensions and renewals of the Leases. Mortgagor has not assigned or executed any assignment of, and will not assign or execute any assignment of, any Leases or the Rents payable thereunder to anyone other than Mortgagee.

(b)    [Intentionally omitted.]

(c)    Subject to Section 1.07(d), Mortgagor has assigned and transferred to Mortgagee all of Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the Rents now or hereafter arising from each Lease heretofore or hereafter made or agreed to by Mortgagor, it being intended that this assignment establish, subject to Section 1.07(d), an absolute transfer and assignment of all Rents and all Leases to Mortgagee and not merely to grant a security interest therein. Subject to Section 1.07(d), Mortgagee may in Mortgagor’s name and stead (with or without first taking possession of any of the Mortgaged Property personally or by receiver as provided herein) operate the Mortgaged Property and rent, lease or let all or any portion of any of the Mortgaged Property to any party or parties at such rental and upon such terms as

 

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Mortgagee shall, in its sole discretion, determine, and may collect and have the benefit of all of said Rents arising from or accruing at any time thereafter or that may thereafter become due under any Lease.

(d)    So long as a First Lien Event of Default shall not have occurred and be continuing, Mortgagee will not exercise any of its rights under Section 1.07(c), and Mortgagor shall receive and collect the Rents accruing under any Lease; but after the happening and during the continuance of any First Lien Event of Default, Mortgagee may, at its option, receive and collect all Rents and upon reasonable prior notice to Mortgagor and at reasonable times enter upon the Premises and Improvements through its officers, agents, employees or attorneys for such purpose and for the operation and maintenance thereof. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably (for the term of this Mortgage) authorizes and directs each tenant, if any, and each successor, if any, to the interest of any tenant under any Lease, respectively, to rely upon any notice of a claimed First Lien Event of Default sent by Mortgagee to any such tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest, and thereafter to pay Rents to Mortgagee without any obligation or right to inquire as to whether a First Lien Event of Default actually exists and even if some notice to the contrary is received from the Mortgagor, who shall have no right or claim against any such tenant or successor in interest for any such Rents so paid to Mortgagee. Each tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest from whom Mortgagee or any officer, agent, attorney or employee of Mortgagee shall have collected any Rents, shall be authorized to pay Rents to Mortgagor only after such tenant or any of their successors in interest shall have received written notice from Mortgagee that the First Lien Event of Default is no longer continuing, unless and until a further notice of a First Lien Event of Default is given by Mortgagee to such tenant or any of its successors in interest.

(e)    Mortgagee will not become a mortgagee in possession so long as it does not enter or take actual possession of the Mortgaged Property. In addition, Mortgagee shall not be responsible or liable for performing any of the obligations of the landlord under any Lease, for any waste by any tenant, or others, for any dangerous or defective conditions of any of the Mortgaged Property, for negligence in the management, upkeep, repair or control of any of the Mortgaged Property or any other act or omission by any other person.

(f)    Mortgagor shall furnish to Mortgagee, within 30 days after a request by Mortgagee to do so (which request shall be limited to once per fiscal year prior to a First Lien Event of Default and as often as reasonably requested during the continuance of a First Lien Event of Default), a written statement containing the names of all tenants, subtenants and concessionaires of the Premises or Improvements, the terms of any Lease, the space occupied and the rentals and/or other amounts payable thereunder.

SECTION 1.08.    Restrictions on Transfers and Encumbrances.    Mortgagor shall not directly or indirectly sell, convey, alienate, assign, lease, sublease, license, mortgage, pledge, encumber or otherwise transfer, create, consent to or suffer the creation of any lien, charge or other form of encumbrance upon any interest in or any part of the Mortgaged Property, or be divested of its title to the Mortgaged Property or any interest therein in any manner or way, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (other than resulting from a condemnation), or engage in any common, cooperative, joint, time-sharing or other congregate ownership of all or part

 

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thereof, except in each case in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the First Lien Credit Documents; provided, that Mortgagor may, in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards, enter into leases, licenses, easement or covenant agreements that relate to and/or benefit the operation of the Mortgaged Property and that do not materially and adversely affect the value, use or operation of the Mortgaged Property. If any of the foregoing transfers or encumbrances results in a prepayment event, any Net Cash Proceeds received by or on behalf of the Mortgagor in respect thereof shall constitute trust funds to be held by the Mortgagor for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties and applied in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 2.13 of the Credit Agreement or other applicable provision of the other First Lien Credit Documents and in each case in accordance with the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 1.09.    Security Agreement.    This Mortgage is both a mortgage of real property and a grant of a security interest in personal property, and shall constitute and serve as a “Security Agreement” within the meaning of the uniform commercial code as adopted in the state wherein the Premises are located (“UCC”). Mortgagor has hereby granted unto Mortgagee a security interest in and to all the Mortgaged Property described in this Mortgage that is not real property, and simultaneously with the recording of this Mortgage, Mortgagor has filed or will file UCC financing statements, and will file continuation statements prior to the lapse thereof, at the appropriate offices in the jurisdiction of formation of the Mortgagor to perfect the security interest granted by this Mortgage in all the Mortgaged Property that is not real property. Mortgagor hereby appoints Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute any document and to file the same in the appropriate offices (to the extent it may lawfully do so), and to perform each and every act and thing reasonably requisite and necessary to be done to perfect the security interest contemplated by the preceding sentence. Mortgagee shall have all rights with respect to the part of the Mortgaged Property that is the subject of a security interest afforded by the UCC in addition to, but not in limitation of, the other rights afforded Mortgagee hereunder and under the Security Agreement.

SECTION 1.10.    Filing and Recording.    Mortgagor will cause this Mortgage, the UCC financing statements referred to in Section 1.09, any other security instrument creating a security interest in or evidencing the lien hereof upon the Mortgaged Property and each UCC continuation statement and instrument of further assurance to be filed, registered or recorded and, if necessary, refiled, rerecorded and reregistered, in such manner and in such places as may be required by any present or future law in order to publish notice of and fully to perfect the lien hereof upon, and the security interest of Mortgagee in, the Mortgaged Property until this Mortgage is terminated and released in full in accordance with Section 3.04 hereof. Subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagor will pay all filing, registration and recording fees, all Federal, state, county and municipal recording, documentary or intangible taxes and other taxes, duties, imposts, assessments and charges, and all reasonable expenses incidental to or arising out of or in connection with the execution, delivery and recording of this Mortgage, UCC continuation statements any mortgage supplemental hereto, any security instrument with respect to the Personal Property, Permits, Plans and Warranties and Proceeds or any instrument of further assurance.

 

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SECTION 1.11.    Further Assurances.    Promptly following demand by Mortgagee, Mortgagor will, at the cost of Mortgagor and without expense to Mortgagee, do, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further acts, deeds, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, notices of assignment, transfers and assurances as Mortgagee shall from time to time reasonably require for the better assuring, conveying, assigning, transferring and confirming unto Mortgagee the property and rights hereby conveyed or assigned or intended now or hereafter so to be, or which Mortgagor may be or may hereafter become bound to convey or assign to Mortgagee, or for carrying out the intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of this Mortgage, or for filing, registering or recording this Mortgage, and promptly following demand, Mortgagor will also execute and deliver and hereby appoints Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute and file to the extent it may lawfully do so, one or more financing statements, chattel mortgages or comparable security instruments reasonably requested by Mortgagee to evidence more effectively the lien hereof upon the Personal Property and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done to accomplish the same.

SECTION 1.12.    Additions to Mortgaged Property.    All right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all extensions, improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutions and replacements of, and all additions and appurtenances to, the Mortgaged Property hereafter acquired by or released to Mortgagor or constructed, assembled or placed by Mortgagor upon the Premises or the Improvements, and all conversions of the security constituted thereby, immediately upon such acquisition, release, construction, assembling, placement or conversion, as the case may be, and in each such case without any further mortgage, conveyance, assignment or other act by Mortgagor, shall become subject to the lien and security interest of this Mortgage as fully and completely and with the same effect as though now owned by Mortgagor and specifically described in the grant of the Mortgaged Property above, but at any and all times Mortgagor will execute and deliver to Mortgagee any and all such further assurances, mortgages, conveyances or assignments thereof as Mortgagee may reasonably require for the purpose of expressly and specifically subjecting the same to the lien and security interest of this Mortgage.

SECTION 1.13.    No Claims Against Mortgagee.    Nothing contained in this Mortgage shall constitute any consent or request by Mortgagee, express or implied, for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, nor as giving Mortgagor any right, power or authority to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against Mortgagee in respect thereof.

SECTION 1.14.    Fixture Filing.    (a) Certain portions of the Mortgaged Property are or will become “fixtures” (as that term is defined in the UCC) on the Land, and this Mortgage, upon being filed for record in the real estate records of the county wherein such fixtures are situated, shall operate also as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing in accordance with the applicable provisions of said UCC upon such portions of the Mortgaged Property that are or become fixtures.

 

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(b)    The real property to which the fixtures relate is described in Exhibit A attached hereto. The record owner of the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto is Mortgagor. The name, type of organization and jurisdiction of organization of the debtor for purposes of this financing statement are the name, type of organization and jurisdiction of organization of the Mortgagor set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage, and the name of the secured party for purposes of this financing statement is the name of the Mortgagee set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage. The mailing address of the Mortgagor/debtor is the address of the Mortgagor set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage. The mailing address of the Mortgagee/secured party from which information concerning the security interest hereunder may be obtained is the address of the Mortgagee set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage. Mortgagor’s organizational identification number is [].

ARTICLE II

Defaults and Remedies

SECTION 2.01.    Events of Default.    Any Event of Default under and as defined in the Credit Agreement, any Event of Default under and as defined in the Indenture or any Event of Default (or similar defined term) under and as defined in any Additional Agreement shall constitute a “First Lien Event of Default” under this Mortgage.

SECTION 2.02.    Demand for Payment.    If a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, then, upon written demand of Mortgagee in accordance with the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents, Mortgagor will pay to Mortgagee all amounts due hereunder and under the First Lien Credit Documents and, subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the out-of-pocket costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by Mortgagee, and Mortgagee shall be entitled and empowered to institute an action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, to prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, to enforce any such judgment or final decree against Mortgagor and to collect, in any manner provided by law, all moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

SECTION 2.03.    Rights To Take Possession, Operate and Apply Revenues.    (a) If a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Mortgagor shall, upon demand of Mortgagee, forthwith surrender to Mortgagee actual possession of the Mortgaged Property and, if and to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, Mortgagee itself, or by such officers or agents as it may appoint, may then enter and take possession of all the Mortgaged Property without the appointment of a receiver or an application therefor, exclude Mortgagor and its agents and employees wholly therefrom, and have access to the books, papers and accounts of Mortgagor.

(b)    If in accordance with Section 2.03(a) above Mortgagor shall for any reason fail to surrender or deliver the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof after such demand by Mortgagee, Mortgagee may to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, obtain a judgment

 

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or decree conferring upon Mortgagee the right to immediate possession or requiring Mortgagor to deliver immediate possession of the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, to the entry of which judgment or decree Mortgagor hereby specifically consents. Subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagor will pay to Mortgagee, promptly following demand, all reasonable expenses of obtaining such judgment or decree, including reasonable compensation to Mortgagee’s attorneys and agents with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to overdue amounts under the First Lien Credit Documents (the “Interest Rate”); and all such expenses and compensation shall, until paid, be secured by this Mortgage.

(c)    Upon every such entry or taking of possession, Mortgagee may, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, hold, store, use, operate, manage and control the Mortgaged Property, conduct the business thereof and, from time to time, (i) make all necessary and proper maintenance, repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments and improvements thereto and thereon, (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire additional reasonably necessary fixtures, personalty and other property, (iii) insure or keep the Mortgaged Property insured, (iv) manage and operate the Mortgaged Property and exercise all the rights and powers of Mortgagor to the same extent as Mortgagor could in its own name or otherwise with respect to the same, or (v) enter into any and all agreements with respect to the exercise by others of any of the powers herein granted Mortgagee, all as may from time to time be directed or determined by Mortgagee to be in its best interest and Mortgagor hereby appoints Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to perform any of the foregoing acts. During the time of such possession, Mortgagee may collect and receive all the Rents, issues, profits and revenues from the Mortgaged Property, including those past due as well as those accruing thereafter, and, after deducting (i) all reasonable expenses of taking, holding, managing and operating the Mortgaged Property (including reasonable compensation for the services of all persons employed for such purposes), (ii) the reasonable costs of all such maintenance, repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments, improvements, purchases and acquisitions, (iii) the reasonable costs of insurance, (iv) such taxes, assessments and other similar charges as Mortgagee may at its option pay, (v) other proper and reasonable charges upon the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof and (vi) the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the attorneys and agents of Mortgagee, Mortgagee shall apply the remainder of the moneys and proceeds so received first to the payment of the Mortgagee for the satisfaction of the First Lien Obligations, and second, if there is any surplus, to Mortgagor, subject to the entitlement of others thereto under applicable law.

(d)    Whenever, before any sale of the Mortgaged Property under Section 2.06, all First Lien Obligations that are then due shall have been paid and all First Lien Events of Default fully cured, Mortgagee will surrender possession of the Mortgaged Property back to Mortgagor, its successors or assigns. The same right of taking possession shall, however, arise again if any subsequent First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing.

SECTION 2.04.    Right To Cure Mortgagor’s Failure to Perform.    Should Mortgagor fail in the payment, performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition required by this Mortgage or the other First Lien Credit Documents (with respect to the Mortgaged Property), Mortgagee may pay, perform or observe the same, and all payments made or out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by Mortgagee in connection therewith shall be secured

 

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hereby and, subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, shall be, promptly following demand, immediately repaid by Mortgagor to Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Interest Rate. Mortgagee shall be the judge using reasonable discretion of the necessity for any such actions and of the amounts to be paid. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a First Lien Event of Default, Mortgagee is hereby empowered to enter and to authorize others to enter upon the Premises or the Improvements or any part thereof for the purpose of performing or observing any such defaulted term, covenant or condition without having any obligation to so perform or observe and without thereby becoming liable to Mortgagor, to any person in possession holding under Mortgagor or to any other person.

SECTION 2.05.    Right to a Receiver.    If a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Mortgagee, upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver to take possession of and to operate the Mortgaged Property and to collect and apply the Rents. The receiver shall have all of the rights and powers permitted under the laws of the state wherein the Mortgaged Property is located. Subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagor shall pay to Mortgagee promptly following demand all reasonable expenses, including receiver’s fees, reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements, costs and agent’s compensation incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.05; and all such expenses shall be secured by this Mortgage and shall be, without demand, immediately repaid by Mortgagor to Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Interest Rate.

SECTION 2.06.    Foreclosure and Sale.    (a) If a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Mortgagee may elect to sell the Mortgaged Property or any part of the Mortgaged Property by exercise of the power of foreclosure or of sale granted to Mortgagee by applicable law or this Mortgage. In such case, Mortgagee may commence a civil action to foreclose this Mortgage, or it may proceed and sell the Mortgaged Property to satisfy any First Lien Obligation. Mortgagee or an officer appointed by a judgment of foreclosure to sell the Mortgaged Property, may sell all or such parts of the Mortgaged Property as may be chosen by Mortgagee at the time and place of sale fixed by it in a notice of sale, either as a whole or in separate lots, parcels or items as Mortgagee shall deem expedient, and in such order as it may determine, at public auction to the highest bidder. Mortgagee or an officer appointed by a judgment of foreclosure to sell the Mortgaged Property may postpone any foreclosure or other sale of all or any portion of the Mortgaged Property by public announcement at such time and place of sale, and from time to time thereafter may postpone such sale by public announcement or subsequently noticed sale. Without further notice, Mortgagee or an officer appointed to sell the Mortgaged Property may make such sale at the time fixed by the last postponement, or may, in its discretion, give a new notice of sale. Any person, including Mortgagor or Mortgagee or any designee or affiliate thereof, may purchase at such sale.

(b)    The Mortgaged Property may be sold subject to unpaid taxes and Liens permitted pursuant to First Lien Credit Documents, and, after deducting all costs, fees and expenses of Mortgagee (including costs of evidence of title in connection with the sale), subject to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement, Mortgagee or an officer that makes any sale shall apply the proceeds of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2.08.

 

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(c)    Any foreclosure or other sale of less than the whole of the Mortgaged Property or any defective or irregular sale made hereunder shall not exhaust the power of foreclosure or of sale provided for herein; and subsequent sales may be made hereunder until the First Lien Obligations have been satisfied, or the entirety of the Mortgaged Property has been sold.

(d)    If a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Mortgagee may instead of, or in addition to, exercising the rights described in Section 2.06(a) above and either with or without entry or taking possession as herein permitted, proceed by a suit or suits in law or in equity or by any other appropriate proceeding or remedy (i) to specifically enforce payment of some or all of the First Lien Obligations, or the performance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement of this Mortgage or any other First Lien Credit Document or any other right, or (ii) to pursue any other remedy available to Mortgagee, all as Mortgagee shall determine most effectual for such purposes.

SECTION 2.07.    Other Remedies.    (a) In case a First Lien Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Mortgagee may also exercise, to the extent not prohibited by law, any or all of the remedies available to a secured party under the UCC.

(b)    In connection with a sale of the Mortgaged Property or any Personal Property and the application of the proceeds of sale as provided in Section 2.08, Mortgagee shall be entitled to enforce payment of and to receive up to the principal amount of the First Lien Obligations, plus all other charges, payments and costs due under this Mortgage, and to recover a deficiency judgment for any portion of the aggregate principal amount of the First Lien Obligations remaining unpaid, with interest.

SECTION 2.08.    Application of Sale Proceeds and Rents.    After any foreclosure sale of all or any of the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagee shall receive and apply the proceeds of the sale together with any Rents that may have been collected and any other sums that then may be held by Mortgagee under this Mortgage as provided for in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The Mortgagee shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Mortgage and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Upon any sale of the Mortgaged Property by the Mortgagee (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the Mortgagee or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Mortgaged Property so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Mortgagee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

SECTION 2.09.    Mortgagor as Tenant Holding Over.    If Mortgagor remains in possession of any of the Mortgaged Property after any foreclosure sale by Mortgagee, at Mortgagee’s election Mortgagor shall be deemed a tenant holding over and shall forthwith surrender possession to the purchaser or purchasers at such sale or be summarily dispossessed or evicted according to provisions of law applicable to tenants holding over.

 

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SECTION 2.10.    Waiver of Appraisement, Valuation, Stay, Extension and Redemption Laws.    Mortgagor waives, to the extent not prohibited by law, (i) the benefit of all laws now existing or that hereafter may be enacted (x) providing for any appraisement or valuation of any portion of the Mortgaged Property and/or (y) in any way extending the time for the enforcement or the collection of amounts due under any of the First Lien Obligations or creating or extending a period of redemption from any sale made in collecting said debt or any other amounts due Mortgagee, (ii) any right to at any time insist upon, plead, claim or take the benefit or advantage of any law now or hereafter in force providing for any homestead exemption, stay, statute of limitations, extension or redemption, or sale of the Mortgaged Property as separate tracts, units or estates or as a single parcel in the event of foreclosure or notice of deficiency, and (iii) all rights of redemption, valuation, appraisement, stay of execution, notice of election to mature or declare due the whole of or each of the First Lien Obligations and marshaling in the event of foreclosure of this Mortgage.

SECTION 2.11.    Discontinuance of Proceedings.    In case Mortgagee shall proceed to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall be discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall be determined adversely to Mortgagee, then and in every such case Mortgagor and Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, powers and remedies of Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceeding had been taken.

SECTION 2.12.    Suits To Protect the Mortgaged Property.    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a First Lien Event of Default, Mortgagee shall have power (a) to institute and maintain suits and proceedings to prevent any impairment of the Mortgaged Property by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of this Mortgage, (b) to preserve or protect its interest in the Mortgaged Property and in the Rents arising therefrom and (c) to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislation or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of or compliance with such enactment, rule or order would impair the security or be prejudicial to the interest of Mortgagee hereunder.

SECTION 2.13.    Filing Proofs of Claim.    In case of any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other proceedings affecting Mortgagor, Mortgagee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Mortgagee allowed in such proceedings for the First Lien Obligations secured by this Mortgage at the date of the institution of such proceedings and for any interest accrued, late charges and additional interest or other amounts due or that may become due and payable hereunder after such date.

SECTION 2.14.    Possession by Mortgagee.    Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, liquidator or trustee of Mortgagor, any of its property or the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagee shall be entitled, to the extent not prohibited by law, to remain in possession and control of all parts of the Mortgaged Property now or hereafter granted under this Mortgage to Mortgagee in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable law.

SECTION 2.15.    Waiver.    (a) No delay or failure by Mortgagee to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing upon any breach or First Lien Event of Default shall exhaust or impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or

 

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First Lien Event of Default or acquiescence therein; and every right, power and remedy given by this Mortgage to Mortgagee may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee. No consent or waiver by Mortgagee to or of any breach or First Lien Event of Default by Mortgagor in the performance of the First Lien Obligations shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or First Lien Event of Default in the performance of the same or of any other First Lien Obligations by Mortgagor hereunder. No failure on the part of Mortgagee to complain of any act or failure to act or to declare a First Lien Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall constitute a waiver by Mortgagee of its rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies consequent on any future First Lien Event of Default by Mortgagor.

(b)    Even if Mortgagee (i) grants some forbearance or an extension of time for the payment of any sums secured hereby, (ii) takes other or additional security for the payment of any sums secured hereby, (iii) waives or does not exercise some right granted herein or under the First Lien Credit Documents, (iv) releases a part of the Mortgaged Property from this Mortgage, (v) agrees to change some of the terms, covenants, conditions or agreements of any of the First Lien Credit Documents, (vi) consents to the filing of a map, plat or replat affecting the Premises, (vii) consents to the granting of an easement or other right affecting the Premises or (viii) makes or consents to an agreement subordinating Mortgagee’s lien on the Mortgaged Property hereunder; no such act or omission shall preclude Mortgagee from exercising any other right, power or privilege herein granted or intended to be granted in the event of any breach or First Lien Event of Default then made or of any subsequent default; nor, except as otherwise expressly provided in an instrument executed by Mortgagee, shall this Mortgage be altered thereby. In the event of the sale or transfer by operation of law or otherwise of all or part of the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagee is hereby authorized and empowered to deal with any vendee or transferee with reference to the Mortgaged Property secured hereby, or with reference to any of the terms, covenants, conditions or agreements hereof, as fully and to the same extent as it might deal with the original parties hereto and without in any way releasing or discharging any liabilities, obligations or undertakings.

SECTION 2.16.    Waiver of Trial by Jury.    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MORTGAGE OR ANY OF THE OTHER FIRST LIEN CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS MORTGAGE AND THE OTHER FIRST LIEN CREDIT DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 2.16.

SECTION 2.17.    Remedies Cumulative.    No right, power or remedy conferred upon or reserved to Mortgagee by this Mortgage is intended to be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy, and each and every such right, power and remedy shall be cumulative and concurrent and in addition to any other right, power and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

 

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ARTICLE III

Miscellaneous

SECTION 3.01.    Partial Invalidity.    In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Mortgage shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such validity, illegality or unenforceability shall, at the option of Mortgagee, not affect any other provision of this Mortgage, and this Mortgage shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 3.02.    Notices.    All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement (with respect to the Mortgagor and the Bank Secured Parties), Section 13.02 of the Indenture (with respect to the Notes Secured Parties), and the applicable provisions of any Additional Agreements (with respect to the Additional Secured Parties (if any)).

SECTION 3.03.    Successors and Assigns.    All of the grants, covenants, terms, provisions and conditions herein shall run with the Premises and the Improvements and shall apply to, bind and inure to, the benefit of the successors and assigns of Mortgagor and the successors and assigns of Mortgagee.

SECTION 3.04.    Satisfaction and Cancelation.    (a) Upon the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the First Lien Obligations that are Bank Obligations other than First Lien Obligations with respect to Hedging Agreements not yet due and payable and contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable, (ii) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and (iii) the cash collateralization or back-stop (on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the Mortgaged Property will cease to act as security for the payment and performance of the Bank Obligations; provided, however that the Mortgaged Property shall continue to remain encumbered by this Mortgage as security for the other First Lien Obligations until the other First Lien Obligations are satisfied in accordance with this Section 3.04. Upon any such satisfaction of the Bank Obligations, the Administrative Agent will, at the Mortgagor’s expense, execute and deliver to Mortgagor such documents as Mortgagor shall reasonably request to evidence such satisfaction of the Bank Obligations.

(b)    Upon the occurrence of (i) the payment in full in cash of the First Lien Obligations that are Note Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities), (ii) the date when the Holders of at least two-thirds of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture consent to the amendment or modification of this Mortgage to evidence the satisfaction of the Note Obligations or (iii) at the election of the Borrower, during any Suspension Period (as defined in the Indenture), the Mortgaged Property will cease to act as security for the payment and performance of the Note Obligations; provided, however that the Mortgaged Property shall continue to remain

 

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encumbered by this Mortgage as security for the other First Lien Obligations until the other First Lien Obligations are satisfied in accordance with this Section 3.04. Upon any such satisfaction of the Note Obligations, the Trustee will, at the Mortgagor’s expense, execute and deliver to Mortgagor such documents as Mortgagor shall reasonably request to evidence such satisfaction of the Note Obligations.

(c)    Upon the occurrence of (i) the payment in full in cash of the First Lien Obligations that are Collateral Agent Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities) or (ii) the date when the Collateral Agent consents to the amendment or modification of this Mortgage to evidence the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent Obligations, the Mortgaged Property will cease to act as security for the payment and performance of the Collateral Agent Obligations; provided, however that the Mortgaged Property shall continue to remain encumbered by this Mortgage as security for the other First Lien Obligations until the other First Lien Obligations are satisfied in accordance with this Section 3.04. Upon any such satisfaction of the Collateral Agent Obligations, the Collateral Agent will, at the Mortgagor’s expense, execute and deliver to Mortgagor such documents as Mortgagor shall reasonably request to evidence such satisfaction of the Collateral Agent Obligations.

(d)    Upon the payment in full in cash of the Additional First Lien Obligations (if any) as required by the Additional Agreements (if any), the Mortgaged Property will cease to act as security for the payment and performance of the Additional First Lien Obligations; provided, however that the Mortgaged Property shall continue to remain encumbered by this Mortgage as security for the other First Lien Obligations until the other First Lien Obligations are satisfied in accordance with this Section 3.04. Upon any such satisfaction of the Additional First Lien Obligations, the Additional Secured Party will, at the Mortgagor’s expense, execute and deliver to Mortgagor such documents as Mortgagor shall reasonably request to evidence such satisfaction of the Additional First Lien Obligations.

(e)    Mortgagor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the mortgage lien and security interest created hereunder in the Mortgaged Property shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by the First Lien Credit Documents as a result of which Mortgagor ceases to be a Subsidiary.

(f)    Upon any sale or other transfer by Mortgagor of any portion of the Mortgaged Property that is permitted under the First Lien Credit Documents to any person that is not the Borrower or a grantor under the Security Agreement, or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the mortgage lien and security interest granted hereby in any portion of the Mortgaged Property pursuant to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the mortgage lien and security interest in such portion of the Mortgaged Property shall be released.

(g)    In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 3.04, the Mortgagee shall promptly execute and deliver to the Mortgagor, at Mortgagor’s expense, any Uniform Commercial Code termination statements and other documents that Mortgagor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be without recourse to or representation or warranty by the Mortgagee or any First Lien Secured Party. Without limiting the provisions

 

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of Section 5.06 of the Security Agreement, the Borrower shall reimburse the Mortgagee upon demand for all costs and out of pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and expenses of counsel, incurred by it in connection with any action contemplated by this Section 3.04.

SECTION 3.05.    Definitions.    As used in this Mortgage, the singular shall include the plural as the context requires and the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: (a) “including” shall mean “including but not limited to”; (b) “provisions” shall mean “provisions, terms, covenants and/or conditions”; (c) “lien” shall mean “lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, mortgage or deed of trust”; (d) “obligation” shall mean “obligation, duty, covenant and/or condition”; and (e) “any of the Mortgaged Property” shall mean “the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof or interest therein”. Any act that Mortgagee is permitted to perform hereunder may be performed at any time and from time to time by Mortgagee or any person or entity designated by Mortgagee. Any act that is prohibited to Mortgagor hereunder is also prohibited to all lessees of any of the Mortgaged Property. For the term of this Mortgage, each appointment of Mortgagee as attorney-in-fact for Mortgagor under the Mortgage is irrevocable, with power of substitution and coupled with an interest. Subject to the applicable provisions hereof, Mortgagee has the right to refuse to grant its consent, approval or acceptance or to indicate its satisfaction, in its sole discretion, whenever such consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction is required hereunder.

SECTION 3.06.    Multisite Real Estate Transaction.    Mortgagor acknowledges that this Mortgage is one of a number of Other Mortgages and security documents that secure the First Lien Obligations. Mortgagor agrees that the lien of this Mortgage shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not in any manner be affected or impaired by any acts or omissions whatsoever of Mortgagee, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the lien hereof shall not be impaired by any acceptance by the Mortgagee of any security for or guarantees of any of the First Lien Obligations hereby secured, or by any failure, neglect or omission on the part of Mortgagee to realize upon or protect any First Lien Obligation or indebtedness hereby secured or any collateral security therefor including the Other Mortgages and other security documents. The lien hereof shall not in any manner be impaired or affected by any release (except as to the property released), sale, pledge, surrender, compromise, settlement, renewal, extension, indulgence, alteration, changing, modification or disposition of any of the First Lien Obligations secured or of any of the collateral security therefor, including the Other Mortgages and other security documents or of any guarantee thereof, and Mortgagee may at its discretion foreclose, exercise any power of sale, or exercise any other remedy available to it under any or all of the Other Mortgages and other security documents without first exercising or enforcing any of its rights and remedies hereunder. Such exercise of Mortgagee’s rights and remedies under any or all of the Other Mortgages and other security documents shall not in any manner impair the indebtedness hereby secured or the lien of this Mortgage and any exercise of the rights or remedies of Mortgagee hereunder shall not impair the lien of any of the Other Mortgages and other security documents or any of Mortgagee’s rights and remedies thereunder. Mortgagor specifically consents and agrees that Mortgagee may exercise its rights and remedies hereunder and under the Other Mortgages and other security documents separately or concurrently and in any order that it may deem appropriate and waives any rights of subrogation.

 

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SECTION 3.07.    No Oral Modification.    This Mortgage may not be changed or terminated orally. Any agreement made by Mortgagor and Mortgagee after the date of this Mortgage relating to this Mortgage shall be superior to the rights of the holder of any intervening or subordinate Mortgage, lien or encumbrance.

SECTION 3.08.    Reduction of Secured Amount.    In the event the maximum principal amount secured by this Mortgage is less than the aggregate First Lien Obligations, then the amount secured hereby shall be reduced only by the last and final sums that Mortgagor or any other Loan Party repays with respect to the First Lien Obligations and shall not be reduced by any intervening repayments of the First Lien Obligations. So long as the balance of the First Lien Obligations exceeds the amount secured hereby, any payments of the First Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to be applied against, or reduce, the portion of the First Lien Obligations secured by this Mortgage.

SECTION 3.09.    Future Advances.    This Mortgage is given to secure the First Lien Obligations under, or in respect of, the First Lien Credit Documents and shall secure not only First Lien Obligations with respect to presently existing indebtedness under the foregoing documents and agreements but also any and all other First Lien Obligations which may hereafter be owing to the First Lien Secured Parties under the First Lien Credit Documents, however incurred, whether interest, discount or otherwise, and whether the same shall be deferred, accrued or capitalized, including future advances and re-advances, pursuant to the First Lien Credit Documents, whether such advances are obligatory or to be made at the option of the First Lien Secured Parties, or otherwise, to the same extent as if such future advances were made on the date of the execution of this Mortgage. The Lien of this Mortgage shall be valid as to all First Lien Obligations secured hereby, including future advances, from the time of its filing for record in the recorder’s office of the county in which the Mortgaged Property is located. This Mortgage is intended to and shall be valid and have priority over all subsequent Liens and encumbrances, including statutory Liens, excepting solely taxes and assessments levied on the real estate, to the extent of the maximum amount secured hereby and Liens permitted pursuant to First Lien Credit Documents related thereto. Although this Mortgage is given to secure all future advances made by Mortgagee and/or the other First Lien Secured Parties to or for the benefit of the Borrower, Mortgagor and/or the Mortgaged Property, whether obligatory or optional, Mortgagor and Mortgagee hereby acknowledge and agree that Mortgagee and the other First Lien Secured Parties are obligated by the terms of the First Lien Credit Documents to make certain future advances, including advances of a revolving nature, subject to the fulfillment of the relevant conditions set forth in the First Lien Credit Documents.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Particular Provisions

This Mortgage is subject to the following provisions relating to the particular laws of the state wherein the Premises are located:

SECTION 4.01.    Applicable Law; Certain Particular Provisions.    This Mortgage shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the state where the Mortgaged Property is located, except that Mortgagor expressly acknowledges that by their terms, the other First Lien Credit Documents (aside from those Other Mortgages to be recorded outside New York) shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflict of law. Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree to submit to jurisdiction and the laying of venue for any suit on this Mortgage in the state where the Mortgaged Property is located. The terms and provisions set forth in Appendix A attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions contained in the body of this Mortgage and the terms and provisions set forth in Appendix A, the terms and provisions set forth in Appendix A shall govern and control.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Mortgage has been duly executed and delivered to Mortgagee by Mortgagor on the date of the acknowledgment attached hereto.

 

[NAME OF MORTGAGOR], a [            ] corporation,
  by:  
   

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

Attest:
by:  
 

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Corporate Seal]

 

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