CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND WITH QCI ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., AS REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR PURCHASE AGREEMENT Dated as of March 20, 2017
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION
AND
____________________________________________________
WITH
QCI ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.,
AS REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Dated as of March 20, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
| Section 1 Sale and Purchase. | 2 |
| Section 2 Closing. | 2 |
| Section 3 Representations and Warranties of the Company. | 3 |
| Section 4 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser and QCI. | 8 |
| Section 5 Covenants of the Company. | 9 |
| Section 6 Restrictions on Acquisition and Transfer. | 10 |
| Section 7 Survival of Representations and Warranties. | 11 |
| Section 8 Notices. | 12 |
| Section 9 Entire Agreement. | 12 |
| Section 10 Successors and Assigns. | 12 |
| Section 11 Headings. | 12 |
| Section 12 Governing Law. | 13 |
| Section 13 Counterparts. | 13 |
| Section 14 No Delay, Waiver. | 13 |
| Section 15 Severability. | 13 |
Exhibits
Exhibit A Form of Legal Counsel Opinion
Schedules
Schedule 3.1(b) Schedule of Owned Entities including Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.6 Schedule of Outstanding Options, Warrants, Rights or Other Securities of the Company
Schedule 3.7 Material liabilities incurred or accrued since Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and Forms 8-K
Schedule 3.11 Litigation, Applications and Proceedings
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PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of March 20, 2017, between Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), and Xxx Xxxxxx (the “Purchaser”), and QCI Asset Management Inc., as registered investment advisor (“QCI”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and QCI, pursuant to authority delegated to it, has determined that the Purchaser should purchase from the Company, certain shares of the Company’s 6% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at a price per share of $25.00. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be purchased under this Agreement are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Shares”), of the Company, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1 Sale and Purchase.
In reliance upon the representations and warranties contained herein and the information provided and/or incorporated by reference herein, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the Closing Date, the Company agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, the Shares.
Section 2 Closing.
The closing of the sale and purchase of the Shares (the “Closing”) is taking place at the offices of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx XXX, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
2.1 Purchase of Shares; Payment of Purchase Price.
At the Closing, the Purchaser is purchasing, and the Company is selling to the Purchaser, 3,567 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a per share cash price of $25.00 for an aggregate cash purchase price of Eighty nine thousand one hundred and seventy five Dollars ($89,175) (the “Purchase Price”). At the Closing, the Purchaser is delivering cash in an amount equal to the Purchase Price by wire transfer in immediately available funds in full payment for the Shares to the account designated by the Company and the Company is delivering to the Purchaser certificates representing the Shares.
At the Closing:
(a) the Company is irrevocably directing its transfer agent (Computershare) to issue a certificate representing the Shares to: QCI;
(b) QCI is causing the the Purchaser to deliver the Purchase Price to the order of the Company; and
(c) QCI will cause the Purchaser to deliver a Form W-9 or comparable substitute or appropriate alternative form to the Company.
2.2 Expenses.
Each party shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the sale and purchase of the Shares.
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Section 3 Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company represents and warrants to QCI as agent for the Purchaser as follows:
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of New York and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as now being conducted, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which its owns or leases properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).
(b) The Company does not own any interest in any other entity other than the entities listed on Schedule 3.1(b). Schedule 3.1(b) lists the ownership of the outstanding equity interests in such entities, their jurisdiction of organization and indicates whether or not such entities are consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes. Each of the consolidated entities is referred to as a “Subsidiary” and collectively as the “Subsidiaries”. Each of the Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation and have full power and authority to own, lease and operate their properties and to conduct their businesses as now being conducted, and each Subsidiary is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to be in good standing or to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had or is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or that would materially impair the Company’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(d) The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including the sale and delivery of the Shares) will not conflict with or result in a breach by the Company of, or
constitute a default by the Company under or result in the creation of any lien, security interest or encumbrance upon the stock or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under: (i) the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the New York Secretary of State on July 19, 2013 (“Certificate of Incorporation”), as amended by the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the New York Secretary of State on January 28, 2016, and the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the New York Secretary of State on March 30, 2016 (the Certificate of Incorporation as so amended, the “Amended Certificate of Incorporation”), or the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (the “By-Laws”), (ii) any contract, agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which its properties are subject, or (iii) any existing applicable law, rule, published regulation, judgment, order or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court having jurisdiction over the Company, except for such breaches, defaults, liens, security interests or encumbrances upon the stock or assets of the Company, or imposition of additional burdens which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.2 No Material Default.
None of the Company or the Subsidiaries: (a) is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any obligation, covenant or condition contained in any agreement, contract, commitment, instrument, plan, undertaking or regulatory requirement (including, without limitation, any and all leases, mortgages, and other contractual arrangements with respect to real property) material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole (collectively, the “Contracts”), and (b) no event has occurred which, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute or result in a default thereunder except, in the case of each of (a) and (b), for such defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Contracts is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and except for those failures of Contracts (or provisions thereof) to be valid or enforceable which would not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
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3.3 Shares.
The Company has all requisite corporate right, power and authority to issue, sell, and deliver the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement; and upon such issuance, sale and delivery, and payment of the Purchase Price therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchaser will receive good and valid title to the Shares, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, charge, claim, equity or encumbrance of any kind and such Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable, except as may be otherwise provided by Section 630 of the New York Business Corporation Law.
3.4 Obligations Binding.
This Agreement to has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) equitable principles of general applicability relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.
3.5 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company as of the date of this Agreement consists of 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock, of which, as of December 15, 2016, 2,484,211 shares were issued and outstanding, 140,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 105,303 shares were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016, and 360,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, of which 244,263 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 . All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, except as may be provided by Section 630 of the New York Business Corporation Law, and are free from preemptive rights.
(b) Except for the Series B Preferred Stock which is convertible into common stock at a one-for-one basis (as adjusted from time to time), there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights or other securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into equity securities of the Company.
3.6 No Registration Under the Securities Act.
Assuming (a) the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4, and (b) the due performance by the Purchaser of its covenants and agreements contained herein (including, without limitation, compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legends on the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares), it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Shares in the manner contemplated by this Agreement to register the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
3.7 Financial Statements.
The financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Company’s periodic filings filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 10-K for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the dates specified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments in the case of unaudited interim financial statements) and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments in the case of unaudited interim financial statements); such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States (“GAAP”) on a consistent basis during the periods involved, except as indicated therein or in the notes thereto. None of the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has any material liability (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether due or to become due) known to the Company, other than: (i) liabilities disclosed in any report filed by the Company under the Exchange Act including Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K filed prior to the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Act Reports”), (ii) liabilities which have arisen after the date of the last Exchange Act Report in the ordinary course of business, (iii) liabilities set forth on Schedule 3.7, and (iv) liabilities which would not have, in aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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3.8 Disclosure Letter
The Company has provided Purchaser with a letter, dated as of January 30, 2017, containing certain additional disclosures, subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth therein, regarding the limited private offering of the Series A Preferred Stock of which this Agreement forms a part and certain other matters described therein (the “Disclosure Letter”). To the knowledge of the Company the information contained in the Disclosure Letter is correct in all material respects except for such matters which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.9 Exchange Act Compliance.
The Company has timely filed all Exchange Act Reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. All such Exchange Act Reports, when so filed, complied in form and substance in all material respects with the Exchange Act and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.10 No Material Adverse Changes.
Since September 30, 2016 except as stated in any Exchange Act Report filed since such date or as disclosed herein pursuant to Section 3.7: (a) there has been no event, circumstance or condition relating to or affecting the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the ability of the Company to continue to conduct business in the usual and ordinary course of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, which would have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as set forth on Schedule 3.7, or as set forth in the Exchange Act Reports, there has been no material transaction entered into by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries other than (i) transactions in the ordinary course of business or (ii) transactions which would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) there have not been any changes in the capital stock of the Company. On the date hereof, no dividend or other distribution with respect to the Company’s Common Stock has been declared but not yet paid or distributed which has a record date prior to the date hereof, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.7.
3.11 Litigation.
Other than proceedings by Corning Natural Gas with the New York Public Sevice Commission and its staff, proceedings by Pike County with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, proceedings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, applications and proceedings with various municipal bodies with respect to permits, franchises, rights-of-way and similar actions in the ordinary course of business, of which the material applications and proceedings are listed on Schedule 3.11 hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding (whether or not purportedly on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries) before or by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, which in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the Company’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
3.12 Title to Properties; Leasehold Interests.
(a) Except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Report, or except to the extent that the inaccuracy of any of the following, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company or one or more of the Subsidiaries, has such title to real properties where its assets are located as provides reasonable assurance of the Company’s ability to use such assets in its business in the ordinary course, and has good title or an enforceable leasehold interest, license or other lawful right to use all assets that are used in the Company’s or one or more of the Subsidiaries’ business substantially in the manner in which they currently are operated, in each case, subject only to Permitted Exceptions (as herein defined); (ii) all leases under which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries leases any property that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole are in full force and effect, and none of the Company nor any such Subsidiary is in default in any material respect of any of the terms or provisions of any of such leases and to the Company’s knowledge no claim has been asserted by anyone adverse to any such entity’s rights as lessee under any of such leases, or affecting or questioning any such entity’s right to the continued possession or use of the properties under any such leases or asserting a default under any such leases, and (iii) all liens, charges or encumbrances on or affecting any of the property and assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries which are required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act Rreports are disclosed therein.
(b) As used in this Agreement, “Permitted Exceptions” means: (i) real estate taxes and assessments not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith; (ii) covenants, restrictions, easements and other similar agreements; (iii) zoning laws, ordinances and regulations, building codes, rules and other local governmental laws, regulations, rules and orders affecting any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s property, provided that the same are not violated by existing improvements or the current use and operation of such property; (iv) any imperfection of title which does not materially and adversely affect the current use, operation or enjoyment of any of the Company’s real property and does not render title to such real property unmarketable or uninsurable and does not materially impair the value of such property; and (v) liens securing financing by the Company.
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3.13 Environmental Compliance.
(a) Except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Report, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has complied and is in compliance with all Environmental Statutes (as hereinafter defined), except for such noncompliance as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company has no knowledge of any occurrence or circumstance that, with notice or passage of time or both, would give rise to a claim under or pursuant to any federal, state or local Environmental Statute pertaining to Hazardous Materials on or originating from any real property owned or occupied by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, including without limitation pursuant to any Environmental Statute, which claim would have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) As used herein, “Hazardous Materials” means (i) petroleum and petroleum products, byproducts or breakdown products, radioactive materials, asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas and (ii) any other chemicals, materials or substances designated, classified or regulated as hazardous or toxic or as a pollutant or contaminant or any other hazardous material as defined by any federal, state or local environmental law, ordinance, rule or regulation, relating to pollution or protection of the environment, health, safety or natural resources, including, without limitation, those relating to the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Materials (individually, an “Environmental Statute”) or by any federal, state or local governmental authority having or claiming jurisdiction over the properties and assets described in the Company’s periodic reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act (a “Governmental Authority”).
3.14 Taxes.
The Company has timely filed or filed for extensions of the filing period and filed within such extended period all federal, state, local, foreign and other tax returns, reports, information returns and statements (except for returns, reports, information returns and statements the failure timely to file which will not result in any Material Adverse Effect) required to be filed by it. The Company has paid or caused to be paid all material taxes (including interest and penalties) that are due and payable by the Company and the Subsidiaries, except those taxes which are being contested by the Company and the Subsidiaries in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which adequate reserves are being maintained on the Company’s books in accordance with GAAP. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities for taxes other than those incurred in the ordinary course of business and in respect of which adequate reserves are being maintained by the Company in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. No deficiency or assessment with respect to, or proposed adjustment of, the Company’s federal, state, local, foreign or other tax returns is pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened. There is no tax lien, whether imposed by any federal, state, local or other tax authority, outstanding against the assets, properties or business of the Company or any Subsidiary. There are no applicable taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance to the Purchaser by the Company of the Shares.
3.15 Insurance.
The Company and the Subsidiaries each carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is reasonably sufficient under the circumstances or is customary in the industry and all such insurance is in full force and effect.
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3.16 Employees, ERISA.
The Company and its Subsidiaries have good relationships with its employees and, since September 30, 2015, have not had any labor issues which have has a MaterialAdverse Effect on their business or operations. There is no strike or work stoppage existing or, to the knowledge of the Company threatened against the Company or the Subsidiaries. Other than as disclosed in any Exchange Act Report, the Company and the Subsidiaries have not established, sponsored, maintained, made any contributions to or been obligated by law to establish, maintain, sponsor or make any contributions to any “employee pension benefit plan” or any material “employee welfare benefit plan” (as such terms are defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)), including, without limitation, any “multi-employer plan,” except where the liabilities associated with such plan or plans would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws relating to the employment of labor, including bargaining and the payment of social security and other taxes, and with ERISA, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.17 Governmental Consents.
Other than such consents as have been obtained and filings under applicable federal and state securities laws, no consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, any governmental authority on the part of the Company is required for the valid execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the valid offer, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares.
3.18 Legal Compliance.
Except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Report, the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, licenses, judgments, writs, injunctions or decrees, except to the extent that failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiaries have all necessary permits, licenses and other authorizations required to conduct their businesses as currently conducted, and as proposed to be conducted, except where a failure to have such permits, licenses or other authorizations would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Reports, none of the Company nor any Subsidiary has violated any domestic or foreign law or any regulation or requirement, which violation has or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any such violation. There are no adverse orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees or demands of any court or administrative body, domestic or foreign, or of any other governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, outstanding against the Company or the Subsidiaries which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser and QCI.
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
4.1 Organization and Standing.
The Purchaser is validly organized as a SI Corp under the laws of the State of New York, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as now being conducted. The Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to purchase and hold the Shares and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. QCI is a validly organized limited liability company under the laws of the State of New York and is fully registered as an investment advisor under the U.S. Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended. QCI has full authority under its agreement with the Purchaser to purchase the Shares on behalf of Purchaser and to execute this Agreement on Purchaser’s behalf.
4.2 Agreement.
This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Purchaser, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by QCI on behalf of the Purchaser and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
4.3 Governmental and Other Consents.
No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority or any other person is required to be obtained by the Purchaser in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Purchaser or of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
4.4 Investment Representation, Transfer Restrictions.
The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof. Neither QCI nor Purchaser was solicited by means of any general solicitation or advertising nor at any seminar or meeting whose attendees has been invited by any general solicitation of advertising. QCI and Purchaser understand that the Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act, that the Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any applicable blue sky or state securities laws and that if it decides to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Shares, the Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction and the restrictions set forth in the legends on the certificates evidencing the Shares. As of the date hereof, none of the Purchaser or its “Affiliates” owns, directly or beneficially, 10% or more of the outstanding voting equity in any gas or electric corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the New York State Public Service Commission. As used herein, “Affiliates” means any entity controlling or under direct or common control with the Purchaser.
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4.5 No Violation or Conflict.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including the purchase and acceptance of the Shares) will not conflict with or result in a breach by the Purchaser of, or constitute a default by the Purchaser under: (i) organizational documents, (ii) any contract, agreement or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound, or (iii) any existing applicable law, rule, published regulation, judgment, order or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court having jurisdiction over the Purchaser, except for such breach or default as would not adversely affect the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
4.6 RIA; Sophisticated Purchaser/Accredited Investor.
QCI is a Registered Investment Advisor (“RIA”) under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended. QCI has investment discretion with respect to certain assets of the Purchaser including the assets to pay the purchase price for the Shares. In the normal course of its business or its investing activities, and as provided by agreement with the Purchaser, QCI invests in or purchases securities similar to the Shares, and it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing such securities. The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of the Securities Act as an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors.
4.7 Disclosure; Access to Information.
QCI on behalf of the Purchaser has had access to the Exchange Act Reports and the Exhibits thereto and has reviewed the Disclosure Letter. QCI on behalf of the Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answer from, officers of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and to obtain any additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary in QCI’s sole judgment for QCI, acting on behalf of the Purchaser, to verify the accuracy of the information provided by the Company in the Exchange Act Reports, in this Agreement, in the Disclosure Letter and otherwise. QCI, on behalf of the Purchaser, has conducted such diligence about the Shares, the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Purchaser believes in connection with its investment.
4.8 Investment Company.
The Purchaser is not required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 5
Covenants of the Company.
5.1 No Sale of Security.
Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company will sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which would be integrated with the sale of the Shares in a manner which would require registration under the Securities Act of the offer or sale of the Shares to the Purchaser.
5.2 No General Solicitation.
Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company will solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell the Shares by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or in any manner which would require registration of the offer or sale of the Shares to the Purchaser under the Securities Act.
5.3 Filing of Exchange Act Reports.
After the date of this Agreement, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to timely file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act except where the failure to so timely file would not have a Material Adverse Effect or cause the requirements of Rule 144(c) under the Securities Act not to be met.
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Section 6 Restrictions on Acquisition and Transfer.
6.1 Standstill.
For the period (the “Standstill Period”) commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier of: (i) the date which is six months from the date of this Agreement; and (ii) the date a person not affiliated with Purchaser or its associates (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act) acquires, announces an intention to acquire or proposes to acquire in an transaction described in clauses (a) through (j) below not approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; Purchaser will not, and will cause its associates (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) and its affiliates whom it controls (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) not to, unless expressly requested in writing, in advance, by the Company or pursuant to a written agreement with the Company, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever:
(a) acquire, announce an intention to acquire, offer or propose to acquire, solicit an offer to sell or donate or agree to acquire, or enter into any arrangement or undertaking to acquire, directly or indirectly, by purchase, gift or otherwise, record or direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in any securities or any assets of the Company or any direct or indirect rights, warrants or options to acquire record or direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities or assets of the Company (an “Acquisition”), if such Acquisition would cause Purchaser to beneficially own 10% or more of the voting equity securities of the Company;
(b) make, propose to make, or participate in any merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution, or other similar transaction involving the Company;
(c) solicit, make, effect, initiate, cause or, in any way participate in (other than by granting a proxy to management representatives), directly or indirectly, any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined in the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act) or consents from any holders of any securities of the Company;
(d) call or seek to have called any meeting of the stockholders of the Company or any subsidiary thereof or seek or act, alone or in concert with others, to advise or influence in any manner whatsoever, any person or entity with respect to the Company;
(e) form, join or participate in, or otherwise encourage the formation of, any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) with respect to the record or beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company;
(f) arrange, facilitate, or in any way participate, directly or indirectly, in any financing for the purchase by any person in a transaction not approved by the Board of Directors of the Company of any securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(g) (1) act, directly, or indirectly, to seek to control, advise, direct or influence the management, Board of Directors (including any individual members thereof), stockholders, policies or affairs of the Company or any subsidiary thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent Purchaser from freely communicating privately with management and the directors Purchaser’s observations, recommendations and preferences with respect to the Company, its operations and policies; or (2) disclose an intent, purpose, plan or proposal with respect to the Company or any subsidiary thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this letter agreement, including, without limitation, any intent, purpose or plan that requires the Company to waive the benefit of or amend any provision of this letter agreement;
(h) take any action which might require the Company to make a public announcement regarding any matter of the types set forth in clauses (a) through (g) of this Section 6.1;
(i) agree or offer to take, or encourage (other than by granting a proxy to management representatives) or propose (publicly or privately) the taking of, or announce an intention to take, any action referred to in clauses (a) through (g), inclusive, of this Section 6.1;
(j) assist, induce or encourage (other than by granting a proxy to management representatives), or enter into discussions, negotiations, arrangements or understandings with, any person to take any action of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (i), inclusive, of this Section 6.1.
The expiration of the Standstill Period shall not terminate or otherwise affect any of the other provisions of this letter agreement.
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6.2 Transfer Restriction.
(a) For a period ending six months after the date of this Agreement (the “Restricted Period”), the Purchaser agrees that it shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Shares or any right, title, or interest therein to any person, other than (i) to an entity controlled by or under common control with the which agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) to an “accredited investor” (as defined under the rules and regulations under the Securities Act) after complying with paragraph (b) below.
(b) During the Restricted Period, the Purchaser may not sell or otherwise transfer the Shares, in whole or in part, to an accredited investor without first offering to sell such Shares to the Company or its designee. Such offer (the “Offer”) shall: (i) be in writing (the “Offer Notice”); (ii) specify the number of Shares proposed to be transferred; and (iii) specify the proposed sale price for the Shares proposed to be sold. Within 5 business days after the Company receives the Offer Notice from the Purchaser, the Company shall notify the Purchaser in writing whether it irrevocably elects to purchase all, but not less than all, such Shares on the terms of the Offer. If the Company shall have exercised its right to purchase such Shares pursuant to this paragraph, then, within 5 business days after delivery of notice of acceptance of the Offer by the Company, at the offices of the Company or such other place as may be mutually agreed upon, the Company shall pay the aggregate purchase price for the Shares by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Purchaser and the Purchaser shall deliver to the Company the certificates representing such Shares free and clear of any liens, charges and encumbrances, duly endorsed in blank, or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank. If the Company does not give the Purchaser such notice of acceptance within such 5 business day period, then the Offer shall be deemed to be rejected. If the Company rejects (or is deemed to reject) the Offer, then during the next 90 days the Purchaser shall be free to consummate the transaction described in the Offer Notice at the price set forth therein or a higher price; provided that if the Purchaser does not consummate such transaction within 90 days after the Company has (or is deemed to have) rejected the Offer, then the provisions of this Section 6 shall again apply to any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Shares.
(c) The certificates representing the Shares will bear legends reflecting the limitations set forth in this Section 6 as well as related to the transfer limitations resulting from their issuance in a transaction not registered under the Securities Act or applicable state laws.
Section 7 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
The representations and warranties of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement or otherwise made in writing in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall survive the making of this Agreement and sale of the Shares, through and until the earlier of the twelve month anniversary of the date of this Agreement or the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations with respect thereto.
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Section 8
Notices.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier or sent by first-class mail, postage pre-paid, or by telecopy, as follows:
If to the Purchaser:
QCI Asset Management Inc.
00X Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: H. Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
QCI Asset Management Inc.
00X Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Alvitol
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
If to the Company, at:
Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. German, President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 607-936-3755 ext. 239
and to:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
or, in each case, at such address and to the attention of such person as either party shall have furnished to the other by notice.
Section 9 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, whether oral or written. This Agreement may be modified or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto. Representations made by the Company in this Agreement are modified by any disclosures with respect thereto made in the schedules to this Agreement and are solely for the benefit of the Purchaser and may not be relied upon by any other person. Where a specific representation applies to any matter of fact or law, such representation shall be the exclusive representation with respect to the subject matter thereof and no other or general representation shall be deemed to apply to such matter of fact or law.
Section 10 Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other party, provided, however, that Purchaser may assign all or any portion of this Agreement to any Affiliate. Any attempted assignment in contravention with the foregoing shall be void. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties hereto and any permitted assignee and/or successor of the Purchaser shall succeed to (and have the right to enforce) all of the Purchaser’s rights hereunder. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 11 Headings.
The headings of the sections of this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions hereof.
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Section 12 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case located in the County of Steuben, for any action, proceeding or investigation in any court or before any governmental authority (“Litigation”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. Registered Mail to its respective address set forth in this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any Litigation brought against it in any such court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Litigation arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby in the courts of the State of New York or the United States of America, in each case located in the County of Steuben, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Litigation brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all rights to trial by jury in connection with any Litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 13 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 14
No Delay, Waiver.
No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.
Section 15 Severability.
The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons, entities or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement on the dates set forth below, to be effective as of the date first above-written.
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. German
Xxxxxxx X. German, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: Xxxxx 00, 0000
XXXXXXXXX
____________________________
By: QCI ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.,
As its Attorney in Fact
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
QCI ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Date: March 20, 2017
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Schedule 3.1(b): Schedule of Owned Entities including Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries: Corning Natural Gas Corporation
Corning Natural Gas Appliance Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Pike County Light & Power Company
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Each wholly owned by CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION
Joint Ventures: Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC
Leatherstocking Pipeline Company, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
The Company and Xxxxxxxx Holdings, Incorporated each own 50% of the joint venture and each appoint three managers to operate the new company. The seventh manager is a neutral manager agreed to by the Company and Xxxxxxxx Holdings, Incorporated who is not an officer, director, shareholder or employee of either company. The current managers are Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx from Xxxxxxxx Holdings, Incorporated; Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, Xxxxxxx X. German and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx from the Company; and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx as the neutral manager. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx are stockholders and current board members of the Company.
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Schedule 3.7: Liabilities incurred or accrued since Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and not described in any Form 8-K filed as of the date of this Agreement
The outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock and the Class B Preferred are redeemable at the option of the holder upon the occurrence of certain events constituting a “Fundamental Change” as defined in the Amended Certificate of Incorporation.
The outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock mature and must be redeemed by the Company on September 30, 2023 at their $25.00 Liquidation Preference together with all accrued and unpaid dividends.
The outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock mature and must be redeemed by the Company on September 30, 2026 at their $20.75 Liquidation Preference together with all accrued and unpaid dividends.
Schedule 3.11: Litigation and Material Applications and Proceedings
Litigation:
No changes since September 30, 2016.
Other Proceedings:
Corning Natural Gas Company has proceedings pending before the New York Public Service Commission, including the rate case described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2016, and proceedings related to Affiliated Shared Services.
Pike County has ongoing reporting and other obligations under its proceedings before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
