S-4

   

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2007

Registration No. 333-147831

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM S-4 /A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under The Securities Act of 1933

(Amendment No. 1)


GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Iowa

 

2860

 

84-1652107

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

 

Classification Code Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

105 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 103

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

(402) 884-8700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)


Wayne B. Hoovestol

President and Chief Executive Officer

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.

105 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 103

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

(402) 884-8700

 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:


Eric L. Robinson, Esq.

 

John Hintze, Esq.

Blackburn & Stoll, LC

 

Ahlers & Cooney PC

257 East 200 South, #800

 

100 Court Avenue, #600

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

 

Des Moines, IA 50309

(801) 521-7900

 

(515) 246-0309

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective and upon completion of the combination described in the enclosed registration statement.

If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  £

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  £

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  £





CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each Class of Securities to be
Registered

Amount to be
Registered(1)

Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Share

Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price

Amount of
Registration Fee(2)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

450,840

$9.51

$4,287,489 (2)

$132 (3)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

100,225

$10.51

$1,053,365 (4)

$33


(1)    Represents the maximum number of shares of common stock of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (“GPRE”), par value $0.001, issuable upon the completion of the proposed merger of Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE, with and into Great Lakes Cooperative (“GLC”).  The actual number will be less because cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares.

(2)    Estimated solely for purposes of calculation of the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the product of: (A) 450,840 shares, which together with the 100,225 shares referenced on the following line, is the maximum number of shares of GPRE common stock, which are being registered, that will be received by the GLC stockholders in this merger, multiplied by (B) $9.51, the average of the high and low sale prices for shares of GPRE common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on November 28, 2007.

(3)

Previously paid on December 5, 2007.

(4)

Estimated solely for purposes of calculation of the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the product of: (A) 100,225 shares, which, together with the 450,840 shares referenced on the prior line, is the maximum number of shares of GPRE common stock which are being registered, that will be received by the GLC stockholders in this merger, multiplied by (B) $10.51, the average of the high and low sale prices for shares of GPRE common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on December 19, 2007.





The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 







SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY COPY


The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The securities being offered by the use of this prospectus may not be issued until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, is declared effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities nor a solicitation of any offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

To the Voting Members of Great Lakes Cooperative:

Dear Fellow Member:

This registration statement provides you with detailed information about Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., Great Lakes Cooperative and the Plan of Merger approved by their boards.  The next page lists the informational meetings we will hold to provide some of this information in a different format, and to answer your questions.  Your board of directors encourages you to attend one of these meetings to learn more about this merger and its impact on you and your farming operations.

The next page also shows the time and location of the special member meeting at which the ballots will be tabulated.  You are welcome to attend this meeting, cast your ballot, and watch the ballot counting.  The Plan of Merger will not be discussed at this meeting, and no other business will be conducted at this meeting.

This merger will only occur if it is approved by the voting members of GLC.  For this approval to occur, a majority of members must cast ballots, and two-thirds of the ballots must support the merger by voting YES.  

Enclosed are a ballot and two envelopes.  After completing your ballot, please seal it in the smaller envelope, seal the smaller envelope in the larger envelope, and then return this envelope to GLC.  The envelopes will remain sealed until after the last call for ballots at the special member meeting on February 4, 2008.   At this meeting, the envelopes will be opened and the ballots will be tabulated.  You may obtain additional ballots and envelopes if you lose the enclosed copies or you want to change your ballot.  You must sign your name on the outside of the larger envelope if that envelope does not have a pre-printed return address on it.

You may cast your ballot at any of the meetings listed on the next page.  If you mail your ballot, please mail it early to allow time for delays in the mail.  Only ballots that are received by the last call for ballots on February 4, 2008 will be counted.  You can also cast your ballot by dropping it off at any GLC office.  You can safely vote early, because if you change your mind after voting you can complete a new ballot (only the last ballot you cast will be counted).

If the merger is completed, GLC will beome a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Plains and GLC members as a group will receive $12.5 million in cash and 551,065 shares of Green Plains common stock, except that fractional shares of Green Plains stock will be converted into cash (this cash will be in addition to the $12.5 million). The shareholders of Green Plains will receive no consideration in connection with the proposed merger. Green Plains common stock is listed for trading under the stock symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. Green Plains anticipates that this listing will continue after this merger is completed.

The current directors of Green Plains will continue to be the directors of Green Plains following the combination and the executive management team of the combined organization is expected to be composed of members of Green Plains’ management team prior to the combination. It is anticipated, however, that most, if not all, of the GLC employees will remain as employees of the combined organization after the combination.

We realize that this is a lengthy document, so we have provided a Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus starting on page 5.  You can use the Table of Contents starting on page 1 and this Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to help you identify the material you want to read first and to help you get oriented.

We encourage you to read and carefully consider this registration statement in its entirety.  For a discussion of significant matters that should be considered before casting your ballot, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21.  

This merger has received the unanimous support of your directors, and we ask you to vote YES on the enclosed ballot.

Kevin Adolf

President, Great Lakes Cooperative

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of this transaction or the GPRE common stock to be issued in the combination or determined whether the registration statement is accurate or adequate.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


The registration statement is dated [               ], and is first being mailed to GLC members on or about [                ].




INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS


Informational meetings.  GLC will hold a series of informational meetings for its members. At each of these meetings, GLC’s board of directors and management will summarize the terms of the Plan of Merger, and representatives of GPRE will describe their plans for the future operation of the GLC facilities. Members in attendance will also have an opportunity to have their questions answered. These informational meetings will be held as follows:


Location

Date and Time

Clay County Regional Events Center

800 West 18th Street

Spencer, Iowa  51301

January 22, 2008

7:00 p.m.

 

 

Community Center – City Hall

806 N Avenue

Milford, Iowa  51351

January 23, 2008

9:00 a.m.

 

 

VFW Hall

314 South 1st Street

Estherville, Iowa  51334

January 23, 2008

7:00 p.m.



NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE VOTING MEMBERS

GREAT LAKES COOPERATIVE


The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the Plan of Merger between GLC and Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE) that is being proposed by the GLC board of directors, and the issues related to this merger. At this meeting, voting members will have an opportunity to cast their ballots and the ballots will be counted. Absentee ballots must be received by GLC prior to the last call for ballots at the special member meeting described below. GLC members may also vote in person at this special member meeting.


Special member meeting.  The board of directors of GLC has called a special meeting of its voting members to be held as follows:


Location of meeting:  Great Lakes Cooperative, 701 North Main Street, Everly, Iowa  51338.


Date and time of meeting:  February 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.


The members will be asked to vote on the following resolution at this meeting:


RESOLVED,


(1)

That Great Lakes Cooperative (“GLC”) merge with Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a subsidiary of Great Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (“GPRE”), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Plan of Merger”) by and between GLC, GPRE, and Merger Sub; the Escrow Agreement by and between GLC, GPRE and Bankers Trust; and pursuant to such amendments to the Plan of Merger and Escrow Agreement that GLC’s board of directors deems necessary or appropriate, within its discretion.


(2)

That section 3.2 of GLC’s Articles of Incorporation is amended to read as follows:  All stock will be issued at its par value. The cooperative is authorized to issue dividends on its Common Stock and Preferred Stock as specified by its board of directors. Class A Common Stock is the only class of stock with voting rights. A person may only own one share of Common Stock.







TABLE OF CONTENTS


Questions and Answers About the Combination

2

Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus

5

GPRE Selected Consolidated Financial Information

13

GLC Selected Consolidated Financial Information

14

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

15

GPRE Market Price and Dividend Information

20

GLC Market Price and Patronage Refund Information

20

Risk Factors

21

Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

35

The Special Meeting of GLC Voting Members

36

The Combination

37

The Merger Agreement

43

Management of the Combined Organization After the Combination

55

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

62

GPRE Principal Shareholders

63

Executive Compensation

64

GPRE Business

66

GPRE Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

76

GPRE Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

87

GLC Business

89

GLC Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of  Operations

92

GLC Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

98

GLC Principal Members

99

Experts

100

Legal Matters

100

Where You Can Find More Information

100

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-1


The following appendices also constitute part of this registration statement:


Appendix A

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Appendix F

 

Addendum to Agreement and Plan of Merger

Addendum #2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger

GLC Escrow Agreement

First Amendment to GLC Escrow Agreement

Dissenters Rights Statute




1



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE COMBINATION


The following are some questions that you, as a member of Great Lakes Cooperative, may have regarding the combination and the other matters being considered at the special member meeting and brief answers to those questions. GPRE and GLC urge you to read carefully the remainder of this proxy statement/prospectus, including the documents attached to this proxy statement/prospectus, because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the combination and the other matters being considered at the special member meeting.


Q:  Why are GPRE and GLC proposing the combination? (See page 39)


A:  GPRE and GLC are proposing the combination because they believe the resulting combined organization will be a stronger, more competitive company capable of achieving greater financial strength, operational efficiencies, earning power, access to capital, and growth than either company would be capable of separately. GPRE and GLC believe that the combination may result in a number of benefits, including:


·

the opportunity for GPRE’s shareholders and GLC’s members to participate in the potential growth of the combined organization after the combination;

·

the synergies that could be created in combining the grain handling and marketing strengths of GLC and the grain procurement requirements of GPRE;

·

long-term opportunities for GPRE and GLC’s members to jointly develop innovations and efficiencies in the production of grain feedstocks for ethanol production; and

·

reduced working capital requirements necessary to secure each company’s respective commodity derivative transactions utilized to manage price risks.


GLC’s board is very concerned about the effect the expansion of the ethanol industry will have on its corn volumes if GLC continues as an independent cooperative. Because of its significant capital investment in grain assets, GLC’s financial success rests heavily on obtaining favorable gross margins from marketing 18 to 23 million bushels of corn each year. Expansion of the ethanol industry threatens both the average gross margin per bushel realized and the volume of corn marketed. A substantial reduction in either or both of these factors would adversely affect GLC’s continued operations. As a result, GLC’s board believes this is the right time to consider a merger with a larger organization.  


GLC members as a group will receive $12.5 million in cash and 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock, except that fractional shares of GPRE stock will be converted into cash (this cash will be in addition to the $12.5 million). After this merger becomes effective, GLC members will own approximately 7.1% of GPRE stock. GPRE’s shares are listed for trading under the stock symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. GPRE anticipates that this listing will continue after this merger is completed.  


GLC’s board is recommending this merger with GPRE because the board believes that it would not be possible to obtain more favorable terms from any other merger partner, especially when the opportunity to market GPRE stock received in the transaction on a public stock exchange is taken into consideration. Because GPRE is a publicly-traded company, federal securities laws required the parties to conduct their negotiations on a confidential basis. GLC’s board determined that exclusive, confidential negotiations with GPRE would provide greater value to GLC’s members than seeking competitive bids from other potential merger partners.


GPRE’s board approved this merger as it provides a vehicle for vertical integration. GPRE believes that GLC’s business relationships, workforce and grain-receiving locations are an excellent fit with GPRE’s need for significant quantities of corn for its ethanol production. Within 50 miles of the Superior ethanol plant, GLC has seven elevators with four mainline rail facilities and storage capacity of approximately 14.5 million bushel. GLC’s other operations effectively serve their customers and GPRE plans to continue those services in the future. Additionally, GLC members receiving GPRE stock will add a new group of stakeholders to GPRE with a long-term vested interest in its success.  


Q:  What will a GLC member receive in exchange for GLC stock in the combination? (See pages 43-44)


A:  Upon completion of the merger, each outstanding GLC share will be converted, pursuant to the terms set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, into the right to receive cash and shares of GPRE stock as follows:  


Members who own GLC stock with a par value of more than $1,000 (“Large Shareholders”) will receive a combination of GPRE stock and cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Large Shareholder will be added together, and the member will receive:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock;



2



·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock (subject to the treatment of

fractional shares described below); and


·

an interest in the Escrow Account described below.


GPRE does not issue fractional shares. The fractional shares that would have been issued to the Large Shareholders will instead be converted into cash. This conversion will be based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date).


The GLC members who own GLC stock with a par value of less than $1,000 (“Small Shareholders”) will receive only cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Small Shareholder will be added together, and the member will initially receive cash equal to 166.27567% of the total par value of his or her GLC stock. In addition, Small Shareholders will receive an interest in the Escrow Account as described below.


The cash conversion ratio for Small Shareholders has been computed as follows:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock (the same ratio used for Large Shareholders); and


·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock, which is converted into a cash payment. This conversion was based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date). This results in additional cash equal to 64.35537% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Adding these two elements produces a conversion ratio of 166.27567% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Q:  What is the value of the common stock of GPRE to be issued to GLC members in exchange for their shares of GLC common stock?


A:  The value of GPRE common stock to be issued to GLC members will be determined upon the completion of the combination. If the combination had been completed on December 21, 2007, the value of the 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock to be issued in exchange would have been approximately $7.5 million, based on the closing price per share as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market.


Q:  Will GLC members be able to trade the GPRE common stock that they receive in the combination? (See page 42)


A:  GPRE and GLC anticipate that concurrent with the closing of the combination, GPRE’s shares will be registered on a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and listed for trading without restriction under the symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange.


Q:  What are the tax consequences to GLC members? (See pages 40-41)


A:  In general, the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE into GLC will be treated as a taxable sale by the GLC members of their GLC stock. A member will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of the cash and the aggregate fair market of the GPRE stock received and (ii) the member’s aggregate basis in the GLC stock. In addition, the transfer by GLC of its investments in regional cooperatives to the Escrow Account more likely than not will be treated as a dividend distribution to the GLC members.


Q:  Who will be the directors of GPRE following the combination? (See pages 55-56)


A:  The current directors of GPRE will continue to be the directors of GPRE following the combination.


Q:  Who will be the executive officers of GPRE following the combination? (See page 43)


A:  Following the combination, the executive management team of the combined organization is expected to be composed of members of GPRE’s management team prior to the combination. It is anticipated, however, that most, if not all, of the GLC employees will remain as employees of the combined organization after the combination.


Q:  What GPRE shareholder approvals are needed to complete the combination?


A:  Holders of GPRE common stock are not required to approve the combination and the board of directors of GPRE is not going to seek shareholder approval of the proposed combination.



3



Q:  What GLC member approvals are needed to complete the combination? (See page 52)


A:  The merger agreement provides that it is a condition to completion of the combination that the merger agreement be adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members who cast ballots on the merger, with a majority of the voting members casting ballots. Approval of any necessary adjournment of the special member meeting to obtain a quorum may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person, even if less than a quorum.


Q:  What do I need to do now?


A:  After carefully reading and considering the information contained in and incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your absentee ballot according to the instructions on page 3 of this registration statement as soon as possible. In order to participate in the decision of the members on this combination, you must either submit an absentee ballot before the special member meeting or attend the meeting and vote in person, Because this combination can only be approved if a majority of the voting members of GLC cast ballots, it is important for you to cast your ballot so the members have a voice in whether this combination occurs.


Q:  What must I do if I want to change my vote after I have submitted my absentee ballot?


A:  You may change your vote at any time before the votes are tabulated at the GLC special member meeting. There are two ways for you to do this:


·

by submitting to GLC a new absentee ballot with a later date prior to the special member meeting (only the last ballot you cast will be counted); or

·

by attending the GLC special member meeting and voting in person.


Q:  When do you expect the combination to be completed?


A:  GPRE and GLC are working to complete the combination as quickly as possible. GPRE and GLC hope to complete the combination promptly after the GLC special member meeting.


Q:   Do I have to do anything other than cast a ballot now?


A:  No. After the combination is completed, you will receive written instructions for exchanging your GLC stock for GPRE stock.


Q:  Will a ballot solicitor be used?


A:  GLC does not anticipate using a ballot solicitor.


Q:  Whom should I call with questions? (See page 100)


A:  If you are a GPRE shareholder and have any questions about the combination or any related transaction, please call Scott Poor at GPRE at (402) 884-8700. If you are a GLC member and have any questions about the combination or any related transaction, please call Kevin Hartkemeyer at GLC at (712) 834-2238. You may also obtain additional information about GPRE from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, without charge upon written or oral request by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”



4



SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This summary only provides an overview. This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. It is not a complete presentation of the relevant facts, and it is qualified by the other information in the registration statement. We encourage you to carefully read the entire registration statement because the information in this section does not provide all the important information in connection with this merger and the related matters on which the GLC voting members are being asked to vote. You should carefully read this entire document and the other documents we refer to for a more complete understanding of the combination. This summary and the balance of this document contain forward-looking statements about events that are not certain to occur, and you should not place undue reliance on those statements. Please carefully read “Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 35 of this document. This registration statement contains trademarks, trade names, service marks, and service names of GPRE, GLC, and other companies.


General


References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “GPRE” or the “Company” in this registration statement refer to Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


The Companies


Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.


GPRE was formed in June 2004 for the purpose of building ethanol production facilities to produce ethanol and animal feed products. Its first plant, in Shenandoah, Iowa, commenced operations in August 2007. Its second plant, near Superior, Iowa, is under construction and is anticipated to be completed in early 2008. Both plants are name-plate 50 million gallon per year plants. Its principal executive offices are located at 105 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 103, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 and its telephone number is (402) 884-8700.  


Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc.


Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE that was recently incorporated in Iowa solely for the purpose of the combination. It does not conduct any business and has no material assets. Its principal executive offices have the same address and telephone number as GPRE.


Great Lakes Cooperative


Great Lakes Cooperative (“GLC”) is an Iowa cooperative association that was created in 2001 by the merger of two predecessor cooperatives, Superior Cooperative Elevator and Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company. GLC operates seven grain elevators in Iowa, located at Everly, Greenville, Gruver, Langdon, Milford, Spencer and Superior. In addition to its bulk grain business, it sells and applies fertilizers and pesticides, and it sells seeds, livestock feed, and petroleum products. GLC’s principal executive offices are located at 701 N. Main Street, Everly, Iowa 51338 and its telephone number is (712) 834-2238.


The Plan of Merger (See page 43-54)


The boards of directors of GPRE and GLC have approved a combination of their businesses. This transaction is structured as a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE into GLC. This merger will only become effective if it is approved by the voting members of GLC. If this occurs, the closing on this merger (the “Closing”) is scheduled on or about February 20, 2008. This merger does not have to be approved by the shareholders of GPRE, and their approval will not be sought.


GPRE and GLC are proposing the combination because they believe the resulting combined organization will be a stronger, more competitive company capable of achieving greater financial strength, operational efficiencies, earning power, access to capital, and growth than either company would be capable of separately. GPRE and GLC believe that the combination may result in a number of benefits, including:


·

the opportunity for GPRE’s shareholders and GLC’s members to participate in the potential growth of the combined organization after the combination;

·

the synergies that could be created in combining the grain handling and marketing strengths of GLC and the grain procurement requirements of GPRE;



5



·

long-term opportunities for GPRE and GLC’s members to jointly develop innovations and efficiencies in the production of grain feedstocks for ethanol production; and

·

reduced working capital requirements necessary to secure each company’s respective commodity derivative transactions utilized to manage price risks.


GLC’s board is very concerned about the effect the expansion of the ethanol industry will have on its corn volumes if GLC continues as an independent cooperative. Because of its significant capital investment in grain assets, GLC’s financial success rests heavily on obtaining favorable gross margins from marketing 18 to 23 million bushels of corn each year. Expansion of the ethanol industry threatens both the average gross margin per bushel realized and the volume of corn marketed. A substantial reduction in either or both of these factors would adversely affect GLC’s continued operations. As a result, GLC’s board believes this is the right time to consider a merger with a larger organization.  


GLC members as a group will receive $12.5 million in cash and 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock, except that fractional shares of GPRE stock will be converted into cash (this cash will be in addition to the $12.5 million). After this merger becomes effective, GLC members will own approximately 7.1% of GPRE stock. GPRE’s shares are listed for trading under the stock symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. GPRE anticipates that this listing will continue after this merger is completed.  


GLC’s board is recommending this merger with GPRE because the board believes that it would not be possible to obtain more favorable terms from any other merger partner, especially when the opportunity to market GPRE stock received in the transaction on a public stock exchange is taken into consideration. Because GPRE is a publicly-traded company, federal securities laws required the parties to conduct their negotiations on a confidential basis. GLC’s board determined that exclusive, confidential negotiations with GPRE would provide greater value to GLC’s members than seeking competitive bids from other potential merger partners.


GPRE’s board approved this merger as it provides a vehicle for vertical integration. GPRE believes that GLC’s business relationships, workforce and grain-receiving locations are an excellent fit with GPRE’s need for significant quantities of corn for its ethanol production. Within 50 miles of the Superior ethanol plant, GLC has seven elevators with four mainline rail facilities and storage capacity of approximately 14.5 million bushel. GLC’s other operations effectively serve their customers and GPRE plans to continue those services in the future. Additionally, GLC members receiving GPRE stock will add a new group of stakeholders to GPRE with a long-term vested interest in its success.  


The parties will contract with a major commercial bank to serve as the Exchange Agent in connection with this merger. Each GLC member will be asked to provide the Exchange Agent with the member’s current address, social security or taxpayer identification number, and similar information. The following discussion assumes that GLC members provide the requested information to the Exchange Agent in a timely manner.


Merger Proceeds Received by Large Shareholders (See pages 43-45)


Members who own GLC stock with a par value of more than $1,000 (“Large Shareholders”) will receive a combination of GPRE stock and cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Large Shareholder will be added together, and the member will receive:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock;


·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock (subject to the treatment of fractional shares described below); and


·

an interest in the Escrow Account described below.


GPRE does not issue fractional shares. The fractional shares that would have been issued to the Large Shareholders will instead be converted into cash. This conversion will be based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date).


Example:  John owns a share of common stock with a par value of $200 and two classes of preferred stock with a combined par value of $9,800. The par value of all of John’s GLC stock is $10,000. Shortly after the Closing, John will receive:


·

 $10,192.03 in cash;


·

  472 shares of GPRE stock (based on a calculated number of 472.84228 shares);






6



·

the 0.84228 fractional share of GPRE stock will be converted into $11.46 of additional cash under the fractional share treatment, resulting in a total cash payment to John of $10,203.49 ; and


·

an interest in the Escrow Account described below.


Merger Proceeds Received by Small Shareholders (See pages 43)


The GLC members who own GLC stock with a par value of less than $1,000 (“Small Shareholders”) will receive only cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Small Shareholder will be added together, and the member will initially receive cash equal to 166.27567% of the total par value of his or her GLC stock. In addition, Small Shareholders will receive an interest in the Escrow Account as described below.


The cash conversion ratio for Small Shareholders has been computed as follows:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock (the same ratio used for Large Shareholders); and


·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock, which is converted into a cash payment. This conversion was based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date). This results in additional cash equal to 64.35537% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Adding these two elements produces a conversion ratio of 166.27567% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Example:  George owns a share of common stock with a par value of $200 and two classes of preferred stock with a combined par value of $300. The par value of all of John’s GLC stock is $500. Shortly after the Closing, George will receive $831.38 in cash. In addition, George will receive an interest in the Escrow Account as described below.


Escrow Account


In addition to the merger proceeds described above, each GLC member will receive an interest in an Escrow Account. Immediately prior to the Closing, GLC will transfer its investments in regional cooperatives to the Escrow Account. The deferred portion (that is, the portion other than cash) of patronage refunds on GLC’s business with regional cooperatives prior to the Closing date that is issued after the Closing date will also be placed in the Escrow Account. As the regional cooperatives redeem these investments in the future, the money will be deposited into the Escrow Account.  


Indemnification obligation.  As part of the Plan of Merger, GLC has agreed to indemnify GPRE from all damages that GPRE sustains as a result of, or arising out of, certain breaches of the Plan of Merger by GLC. This indemnification obligation is subject to a deductible of $250,000 and maximum liability of $2 million, which means that GLC is obligated to indemnify GPRE for its damages between $250,000 and $2,250,000. GPRE must make all claims under this indemnification obligation within three years after the Closing; and at that time this indemnification obligation will end. GLC’s indemnification applies to a breach of any of its representations and warranties in Article II of the Plan of Merger, or to Sections 5.3 or 5.15 of the Plan of Merger (see Appendix A of the registration statement for more information).


The interests of GLC members will be represented by a “Shareholder Committee” composed of GLC’s current officers (Kevin Adolf, Bryan Bailey and Darryl Hansen). The Shareholder Committee will make decisions regarding any indemnification claims made by GPRE. The Shareholder Committee will be authorized to retain lawyers, accountants and other professionals to assist it in evaluating or resisting GPRE’s indemnification claims; and to reflect member changes in address and ownership (e.g., as a result of a member’s death) in the member records.


Escrow Agent.  The parties have contracted with Bankers Trust N.A., Des Moines, Iowa, to serve as Escrow Agent in connection with this merger. Three years after the Closing, or for as long thereafter as there are still pending unresolved indemnification claims, Bankers Trust will resign as Escrow Agent. At that time, the members of the Shareholder Committee will collectively become the Escrow Agent (this transition of Escrow Agents is referred to as the “Change in Escrow Agent”).


Cash distributions.  Bankers Trust will not make any cash distributions to GLC members while it serves as Escrow Agent. After the Shareholder Committee becomes the Escrow Agent, they will be required to distribute the cash that is in the Escrow Account to GLC members, subject to these rules:


·

the Escrow Agent may retain a portion of the cash to pay future administrative expenses;


·

the Escrow Agent is not required to make any distributions until it can make the entire distribution to Small Shareholders;



7




·

the Escrow Agent is not required to make more than one distribution from the Escrow Account in each calendar year; and


·

the Escrow Agent is not required to make distributions if there is less than $150,000 of cash in the Escrow Account.


Cash distributions to GLC Small Shareholders.  GLC will obtain an appraisal by an investment banker of the value of GLC’s regional investments as of the Closing (the “Appraised Value”). The first cash distribution to GLC members will be to make a distribution to the Small Shareholders in an amount equal to the “Adjusted Appraised Value” of their interest in the Escrow Account. Adjusted Appraised Value of the Escrow Account will be computed by:


·

adding to the Appraised Value the interest from the Closing to the date of distribution at the interest rate and compounding frequency used to discount estimated future Regional Equity redemptions to present value in determining the Appraised Value; and


·

subtracting the total of the indemnification payments and the Escrow Agent and Shareholder Committee fees and expenses of the Escrow Account.


The Escrow Agent will make a cash distribution to each Small Shareholder in an amount equal to the Adjusted Appraised Value, multiplied times that member’s “Small Shareholder Ratio.” This term means the par value of a Small Shareholder’s GLC stock divided by the par value of all of the GLC stock owned by all GLC members on the Closing date.


Cash distributions to GLC Large Shareholders.  After the distributions to GLC Small Shareholders described above, the Escrow Agent will use the cash available for distribution to make a distribution to each Large Shareholder in an amount equal to the cash available for distribution multiplied by that person’s Large Shareholder Ratio. This term means the par value of a Large Shareholder’s GLC stock divided by the par value of the GLC stock owned by all the GLC Large Shareholders on the Closing date.


Tax Consequences of this Merger Transaction (See pages 40-41)


The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to GLC members. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable current and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, published rulings, court decisions and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date of this registration statement, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This summary does not purport to deal with all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to GLC members, some of whom may be subject to special rules. This summary assumes that a member holds GLC stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The tax consequences of the merger to GLC members will vary depending upon each member’s individual circumstances and the U.S. federal tax principles applicable thereto. No advance rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in the registration statement. In addition, other than a general summary of certain Iowa tax consequences, the discussion does not address any tax considerations under state, local or non-U.S. laws or U.S. federal laws that may apply to you other than those pertaining to the U.S. federal income tax.  In view of the foregoing, each GLC member should consult his own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of the merger, with specific reference to such member’s own particular tax situation and recent changes in applicable law.  


In connection with the completion of the merger, GLC will receive an opinion of tax counsel that the merger will have the U.S. federal income tax consequences summarized below. An opinion of counsel merely represents counsel’s best judgment with respect to the probable outcome on the merits should the matter be litigated, and it is not binding on the IRS or any court. The IRS may challenge the conclusions reached in this opinion. Also, in reviewing this discussion of the tax consequences you should note that certain conclusions reached are not free from doubt. In those circumstances, GLC has expressed the more likely than not outcome despite uncertainties. We suggest you discuss the tax consequences described in this section with your own tax advisor.


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Merger


The merger of a wholly - owned subsidiary of GPRE into GLC will be treated as a taxable sale by the GLC members of their GLC stock. A Large Shareholder who receives cash and GPRE stock in exchange for his GLC stock in the merger will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of the cash and the aggregate fair market value on the date of Closing of the GPRE stock received and (ii) the member’s aggregate basis in the GLC stock. A Small Shareholder who receives only cash in exchange for his GLC stock in the merger will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the cash received and the member’s basis in the GLC stock.  




8



A member’s basis in his GLC stock depends on how the member acquired the stock. To the extent that a member was required to include the GLC stock in income when it was received as a patronage refund from GLC (such as a patronage refund for selling grain to GLC) the member has a tax basis equal to the par value of his GLC stock. To the extent that a member was not required to include the GLC stock in income when it was received as a patronage refund from GLC (such as a patronage refund for buying LP gas to heat a home) the member has a tax basis of zero in his GLC stock. GLC stock purchased for cash has a basis equal to the cash paid.  


A member’s capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a member’s holding period for the GLC stock exchanged in the merger is more than one year as of the Closing. Long-term capital gains of individual taxpayers are generally subject to federal taxation at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital gains of corporate taxpayers are generally taxable at the regular rates applicable to corporations. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A Large Shareholder’s basis in the GPRE stock will be the fair market value of the GPRE stock on the date of the Closing and the member’s holding period for such stock will begin on the day following the date of the Closing.


Large Shareholders – Example:  The par value of John’s GLC stock is $10,000. John is an agricultural producer who was required to pay income tax on all of the GLC stock received as patronage refunds from GLC. As a result, he has a tax basis of $10,000 in his GLC stock. All of his GLC stock was issued to him more than a year prior to the Closing. Shortly after the Closing, John will receive $10,203.49 in cash and 472 shares of GPRE stock. Assuming for purposes of this example that GPRE stock trades at $13.61 per share on the Closing date, the value of the 472 shares that John will receive is $6,423.92. Thus, John will receive total consideration of $16,627.41 (i.e., cash of $10,203.49 plus stock with a value of $6,423.92). John will have a long-term capital gain of $6,627,41 ($16,627.41 less basis of $10,000).


Small Shareholders – Example:  The par value of all of George’s GLC stock is $500. Shortly after the Closing, George will receive $831.38 in cash. George is an agricultural producer who was required to pay income tax on all of the GLC stock received as patronage refunds from GLC. As a result, he has a tax basis of $500 in his GLC stock. All of his GLC stock was issued to him more than a year prior to the Closing. George will have a long-term capital gain of $331.38 ($831.38 less basis of $500).  


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Transfer to the Escrow Account


The transfer by GLC of its investments in regional cooperatives to the Escrow Account more likely than not will be treated as a dividend distribution to the members. A GLC member will recognize ordinary income equal to the member’s proportionate share of the Appraised Value of the investments in the regional cooperatives. A member’s proportionate share will equal the par value of the member’s GLC stock divided by the par value of all outstanding GLC stock. Such income will generally constitute qualified dividend income that is taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. A member will then be treated as the owner of his proportionate share of the investments in the regional cooperatives held in the Escrow Account. A member’s basis in his share of such investments will be the member’s proportionate share of the Appraised Value.  


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Escrow Account Income and Distributions


A GLC member will recognize income each year on his proportionate share of the net income earned on the assets in the Escrow Account. The character of such income will be determined as if such income was realized by the member directly from the source making the payment to the Escrow Agent. Amounts received by the Escrow Agent in redemption of an investment in a regional coop will result in capital gain or loss to a member equal to the difference, if any, between the member’s proportionate share of the redemption proceeds and the member’s basis in his proportionate share of the investment in the regional coop. Amounts paid by the Escrow Agent to GPRE to satisfy indemnification claims will result in a capital loss to the member equal to the member’s proportionate share of the payment. Cash distributions paid by the Escrow Agent to a member will be treated as a return of basis and generally a member will not recognize any income on the receipt of such distributions. A member may recognize gain or loss on the final cash distribution equal to the difference between the cash received and the member’s basis, as adjusted.




9



Iowa Income Tax Consequences


Iowa generally incorporates the U.S. federal treatment of capital gains and losses and dividends in its determination of taxable income. Iowa does not, however, have a separate tax rate on capital gains or qualified dividends, and such income is generally taxable at the regular rates. Iowa residents are generally subject to income tax on their entire taxable income, while nonresidents are taxed only on income derived from Iowa sources. Interest and dividends will be treated as income from sources within Iowa to the extent they are derived from a trade or business carried on within Iowa by the nonresident. Capital gain or loss recognized by a nonresident on the sale of GLC stock will be taxable in Iowa if the stock was used by the nonresident as an integral part of some business activity in Iowa in the year in which the sale takes place. The determination of whether the income resulting from the merger is from Iowa sources will depend on each member’s individual circumstances. Each member should consult his own tax advisor regarding the Iowa tax consequences.


Backup Withholding


Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) may apply to payments made in connection with the merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a member who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that he is not subject to backup withholding on the IRS Form W-9 or substitute form, or is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the member’s U.S. federal tax liability provided that the required information is provided to the IRS.


The Combined Organization


GPRE’s principal executive office will be the combined organization’s principal executive office. Following the combination, the current board of directors of GPRE will continue to serve as GPRE’s board of directors. GPRE’s current management team will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the combined organization. It is anticipated, however, that most, if not all, of the GLC employees will remain as employees of the combined organization after the combination.


Risks Associated with GPRE, GLC and the Combination (See pages 21-34)


The combination poses a number of risks to each company and its respective shareholders. In addition, both GPRE and GLC are subject to various risks associated with their businesses and their industry. These risks are discussed in detail under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21. You are encouraged to read and carefully consider all of these risks.


GLC Special Member Meeting (See page 36)


The GLC special member meeting will be held on February 4, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. , local time, at Great Lakes Cooperative, 701 North Main Street, Everly, Iowa  51338 .. The purpose of the GLC special member meeting is to vote on the Agreement and Plan of Merger and related matters. This agreement provides that it is a condition to completion of the combination that this agreement be adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members who cast ballots on the merger, with a majority of the voting members casting ballots. Approval of any necessary adjournment of the special member meeting to obtain a quorum may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy, even if less than a quorum.


Determination of GPRE’s Board of Directors (See page 39)


After careful consideration, the board of directors of GPRE has unanimously determined that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger are advisable and that the payment of cash and issuance of shares of GPRE common stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this agreement is fair to and in the best interests of GPRE shareholders. The board of directors of GPRE is not required to seek shareholder approval and will not be seeking shareholder approval in connection with the proposed merger.


Recommendation of GLC’s Board of Directors (See page 39)


After careful consideration, the GLC board of directors has unanimously approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the combination, and has determined that this agreement and the combination are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of, the members of GLC. Therefore, the GLC board of directors recommends that GLC members vote “FOR” adoption of the merger agreement.




10



Record Date (See page 36)


The GLC Articles of Incorporation provide that each owner of a share of Class A Common Stock is a voting member of GLC. The GLC Bylaws provide that the voting members of record according to the member record books on the date notice is given of any meeting will be the members entitled to notice of and to vote at that meeting. As of the date of this registration statement, GLC had 1,127 voting members.


Voting Power (See page 36)


Each record holder of a share of GLC Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote at the special member meeting. Executive officers, directors and affiliates own in the aggregate approximately 0.8 % of the outstanding GLC Class A Common Stock and will be entitled to cast approximately 0.8 % of the ballots.


Interests of GPRE’s Directors and Executive Officers (See page 42)


Upon completion of the combination and the issuance of GPRE common stock in the combination, based on beneficial ownership computations as of December 21, 2007, the directors and officers of GPRE will collectively beneficially own approximately 29.2% of the outstanding stock of GPRE.


Interests of GLC’s Directors and Executive Officers (See page 42)


Upon completion of the combination and the issuance of GPRE common stock in the combination, the directors and officers of GLC will collectively beneficially own 0.1 % of the outstanding stock of GPRE.


Structure and Effects of the Combination (See page 37)


At the completion of the combination, Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, LLC will be merged with and into GLC, and GLC will continue as the surviving corporation of the merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE.


Treatment of GLC Stock Options and Warrants to Purchase GLC Stock


There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase GLC stock.


Completion and Effectiveness of the Combination (See page 43)


GPRE and GLC expect to complete the combination when all of the conditions to completion of the combination contained in the Agreement and Plan of Merger have been satisfied or waived. The combination will become effective upon the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Iowa.


GPRE and GLC are working toward satisfying the conditions to the combination, and hope to complete the combination as soon as practicable following the GLC special member meeting.


Restrictions on Solicitation of Alternative Transactions by GLC (See page 47-49)


The Agreement and Plan of Merger contains restrictions on the ability of GLC to solicit or engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party with respect to a proposal to acquire a significant interest in the equity or assets of GLC. Notwithstanding these restrictions, the merger agreement provides that, under specified circumstances, if GLC receives an unsolicited proposal from a third party to acquire a significant interest in GLC that constitutes a proposal that is superior to the combination, GLC may furnish nonpublic information to that third party and engage in negotiations regarding a takeover proposal with that third party. Under certain circumstances, such negotiations can lead to the obligation to make a termination fee payment of $1.0 million to GPRE.


Conditions to the Completion of the Combination (See page 51-52)


GPRE’s and GLC’s obligations to complete the combination are subject to certain conditions described under the heading “Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Completion of the Combination.


Accounting Treatment of the Combination (See page 40)


GPRE will account for the combination under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations, with GPRE being the acquiring company.




11



Transmittal Instructions (See page 44)


Following the effective time of the combination, the exchange agent, selected by GPRE, will mail to each holder of GLC stock a letter of transmittal and instructions discussing details of the exchange. Each GLC member will use the letter of transmittal to obtain the cash and shares of GPRE common stock which the member is entitled to receive in connection with the combination.


Regulatory Approvals


GPRE and GLC believe that the combination is not subject to the reporting obligations, statutory waiting periods or other approvals of any government agency.


Restrictions on the Ability to Sell GPRE Common Stock


All shares of GPRE common stock you receive in connection with the combination will be freely transferable unless you are considered an “affiliate” of either GLC or GPRE for the purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, at the time the merger agreement is submitted to GLC members for adoption, in which case you will be permitted to sell the shares of GPRE common stock you receive in the combination only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This registration statement does not register the resale of stock held by affiliates.





12



GPRE SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


The selected historical financial information of GPRE set forth in the table below for each of the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004; for each of the nine-month periods ended August 31, 2007 and 2006; and at each period-end balance sheet date is derived from GPRE’s historical financial statements. The information set forth below at November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and for the fiscal years then ended is derived from the consolidated financial statements which have been audited by L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm. This selected historical financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of GPRE, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere herein, and “GPRE Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.


 


Nine Months Ended

August 31,


Fiscal Year Ended

November 30,

June 29, 2004 (Inception) to November 30,

 

2007

2006

2006

2005

2004


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

(Audited)

(Audited)

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Revenues

$

9,303

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

Operating expenses

 

6,151,128

 

1,177,522

 

2,150,986

 

729,546

 

50,305

Operating loss

 

(6,162,466)

 

(1,177,522)

 

(2,150,986)

 

(792,546)

 

(50,305)

Other income (expense)

 

575,696

 

1,255,898

 

3,395,106

 

  331,792

 

310

Net income (loss)

 

(5,292,281)

 

78,376

 

918,120

 

(397,754)

 

(49,995)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

 

 

Basic

 

(0.88)

 

0.02

 

0.19

 

      (0.42)

 

               (0.08)

Diluted

 

(0.88)

 

0.02

 

0.19

 

       (0.42)

 

               (0.08)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of August 31,

 

As of November 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Audited)

 

(Audited)

 

(Audited)

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

$

16,636,240

$

54,442,948

$

43,088,464

$

5,794,936

$

626,093

Current assets

 

22,043,833

 

55,366,526

 

44,196,474

 

 33,859,636

 

629,093

Total assets

 

144,444,445

 

91,149,638

 

96,003,532

 

  34,649,482

 

629,093

Current liabilities

 

15,758,394

 

5,743,202

 

9,777,352

 

    170,701

 

5,800

Long-term debt

 

44,524,596

 

345,000

 

330,000

 

-

 

-

Total liabilities

 

60,441,433

 

6,088,202

 

10,107,352

 

      170,701

 

5,800

Stockholders’ equity

 

84,003,012

 

85,061,436

 

85,896,180

 

  34,478,781

 

    623,293




13



GLC SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


The selected historical financial information of GLC set forth in the table below for each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 is derived from GLC’s audited historical financial statements. The information set forth below at August 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and for the years then ended is derived from the consolidated financial statements which have been audited by Gardiner Thomsen, Des Moines, Iowa, an independent registered public accounting firm. The information set forth below at August 31, 2003 and for the year then ended is derived from the consolidated financial statements which have been audited by Burdorf, Parrott and Associates, Emmetsburg, Iowa, an independent registered public accounting firm. This selected historical financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of GLC, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere herein, and “GLC Management’s, Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.


 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$145,924,324

$111,157,722

$121,747,919

$139,374,527

$127,445,054

Gross margin

14,795,864

11,374,063

15,457,157

12,332,578

12,818,218

Operating expenses

14,278,936

13,551,496

14,164,302

13,073,803

12,434,050

Operating savings (loss)

516,928

(2,177,433)

1,292,855

(741,225)

384,168

Patronage dividend income

1,969,483

1,334,108

873,133

624,134

473,050

Net savings (loss)

1,728,185

 (571,148)

1,556,135

754,757

300,089

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of August 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

$       383,258

$       835,815

$       687,998

$       691,830

$           1,915

Current assets

31,247,711

21,780,098

21,764,432

14,084,672

14,223,213

Total assets

55,575,086

45,795,370

44,463,811

38,502,678

38,776,200

Current liabilities

25,631,142

16,622,453

13,765,646

9,097,499

7,661,994

Long-term debt

5,400,000

6,300,000

7,222,485

7,869,918

9,106,280

Other liabilities

1,422,820

1,281,533

1,371,402

865,474

1,683,236

Members’ equity

22,803,782

21,254,384

22,104,278

20,669,787

20,324,690






14



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AND RELATED NOTES THERETO


The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based upon the combined historical financial position and results of operations of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (“GPRE”) and Great Lakes Cooperative (“GLC”). The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements give effect to the merger of GPRE and GLC as described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between GPRE, Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc., and GLC and the financing of the cash consideration paid based on current expectations of GPRE (collectively the “Transaction”).

 

Basis of Presentation


The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet of GPRE as of August 31, 2007 combines the balance sheets of GPRE as of August 31, 2007, and GLC as of May 31, 2007, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments, and has been prepared as if the Transaction had occurred on August 31, 2007. The adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements represent GPRE’s preliminary determination of the purchase price allocation based upon available information and there can be no assurance that the actual adjustments will not differ significantly from the pro forma adjustments reflected in the pro forma financial information. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the year ended November 30, 2006, combines the statements of operations for GPRE for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, and GLC for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments, and has been prepared as if the Transaction had occurred on December 1, 2005. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2007, combines the statements of operations for GPRE for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2007, and GLC for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2007, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments, and has been prepared as if the Transaction had occurred on December 1, 2006.


The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations of GPRE had the acquisition occurred on the dates indicated above, or that may be realized in the future. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for both GPRE and GLC, and with the historical financial statements of GPRE and the related notes thereto, as well as the historical financial statements of GLC and the related notes thereto, which are included in this registration statement.




15




UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF AUGUST 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPRE

 

GLC

 

 

 

Pro Forma at

 

 

 

 

August 31,

 

May 31,

 

Pro Forma

 

August 31,

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

Adjustments

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 16,636,240

 

$     360,536

 

$ 12,500,000

a

$ 16,996,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,500,000)

b

 

 

Accounts Receivable & Other

2,009,239

 

10,522,010

 

-

 

12,531,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

3,398,354

 

27,547,074

 

-

 

30,945,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

22,043,833

 

38,429,620

 

-

 

60,473,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

116,480,791

 

12,954,325

 

7,545,675

b

136,980,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in other organizations

-

 

11,093,196

 

(11,093,196)

c

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

5,919,821

 

-

 

1,694,976

b

7,614,797

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$144,444,445

 

$62,477,141

 

$ (1,852,545)

 

$205,069,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, including current maturities

$  2,460,000

 

$16,028,577

 

$  1,250,000

a

$  19,738,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other

13,298,394

 

16,054,250

 

-

 

29,352,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

15,758,394

 

32,082,827

 

1,250,000

 

49,091,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt less current maturities

44,524,596

 

6,300,000

 

11,250,000

a

62,074,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

158,443

 

1,281,533

 

960,236

b

2,400,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

84,003,012

 

22,812,781

 

(4,219,585)

b

91,503,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,093,196)

c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$144,444,445

 

$62,477,141

 

$ (1,852,545)

 

$205,069,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

for detail of pro forma adjustments)



16






UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR NOVEMBER 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPRE

 

GLC

 

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

Nov. 30,

 

August 31,

 

Pro Forma

 

November 30,

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2006

 

Adjustments

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$                 -

 

$111,157,722

 

$                 -

 

$ 111,157,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

-

 

99,783,659

 

-

 

99,783,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

-

 

11,374,063

 

-

 

11,374,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

2,150,986

 

12,515,313

 

377,284

d

15,043,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

(2,150,986)

 

(1,141,250)

 

(377,284)

 

(3,669,520)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

1,794,710

 

46,559

 

-

 

1,841,269

 

Patronage income

-

 

1,287,549

 

(1,287,549)

e

-

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

-

 

(1,036,183)

 

(1,031,250)

f

(2,067,433)

 

Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

1,600,396

 

-

 

-

 

1,600,396

 

Other, net

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

Total other income (expense)

3,395,106

 

297,925

 

(2,318,799)

 

1,374,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

1,244,120

 

(843,325)

 

(2,696,083)

 

(2,295,288)

Income tax provision (benefit)

326,000

 

(272,177)

 

(53,823)

g

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$  918,120

 

$ (571,148)

 

$ (2,642,260)

 

$ (2,295,288)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$ 0.19

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$ (0.42 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$ 0.19

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$ (0.42 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

4,877,938

 

n/a

 

551,065

 

5,429,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

4,904,545

 

n/a

 

551,065

 

5,455,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

for detail of pro forma adjustments)



17




UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPRE

 

GLC

 

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

August 31,

 

May 31,

 

Pro Forma

 

August 31,

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

Adjustments

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$         9,303

 

$106,468,188

 

-

 

$106,477,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

20,641

 

94,835,758

 

-

 

94,856,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

(11,338)

 

11,632,430

 

-

 

11,621,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

1,750,418

 

9,430,581

 

282,963

d

11,463,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

(1,761,756)

 

2,201,849

 

(282,963)

 

157,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

210,291

 

45,212

 

-

 

255,503

 

Patronage income

-

 

1,833,831

 

(1,833,831)

e

-

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

(146,446)

 

(1,401,885)

 

(773,438)

f

(2,321,769)

 

Unrealized loss on inventory

(589,678)

 

-

 

-

 

(589,678)

 

Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

(64,492)

 

-

 

-

 

(64,492)

 

 

Total other income (expense)

(590,325)

 

477,158

 

(2,607,269)

 

(2,720,436)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

(2,352,081)

 

2,679,007

 

(2,890,232)

 

(2,563,306)

Income tax provision (benefit)

31,511

 

-

 

(357,511)

g

(326,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ (2,383,592)

 

$ 2,679,007

 

$ (2,532,721)

 

$ (2,237,306)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$ (0.40)

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$ (0.34 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$ (0.40)

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$ (0.34 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

6,028,862

 

n/a

 

551,065

 

6,579,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

6,028,862

 

n/a

 

551,065

 

6,579,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

for detail of pro forma adjustments)



18



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION


The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not give effect to any restructuring cost, potential cost savings, or other operating efficiencies that are expected to result from the Transaction. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are based on certain assumptions and do not purport to be indicative of the results which would have been achieved if the Transaction had been consummated on the dates indicated or which may be achieved in the future.


The Transaction is structured as a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE into GLC. GLC members as a group will receive $12.5 million in cash and 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock. GPRE anticipates financing the cash portion of the consideration by a new GLC term bank-loan facility secured by substantially all of the assets of GLC. GPRE will account for the combination under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations, with GPRE being the acquiring company.


2. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

  

  

(a)

Reflects the proceeds from borrowings under the new GLC term bank-loan facility.

  

  

(b)

Reflects purchase of GLC for cash of $12.5 million and 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock.   

  

  

(c)

Reflects the transfer of GLC’s investments in regional cooperatives to the Escrow Account.  

  

  

(d)

Reflects additional depreciation expense related to recording GLC’s property, plant and equipment at market value.

  

  

(e)

Reflects elimination of patronage income from future expected financial results.

  

  

(f)

Reflects additional interest expense related to borrowings under the new GLC term bank-loan facility at an interest rate of 8.25 percent.

  

  

(g)

Reflects income tax effects of the combined entity.

  



19



GPRE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION


Currently, GPRE’s common shares are traded under the trading symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. GPRE’s shares first began to trade on March 15, 2006. However, GPRE’s shares are thinly traded and illiquid. No assurance can be given that our stock will continue to be traded on any market or exchange in the future, or that our shares will become more liquid. Our shares may continue to trade on a limited, sporadic and highly volatile basis.


The following table sets forth the high and low bid information of our common stock for the periods indicated. The price information contained in the table was obtained from NASDAQ. Note that the over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and that the quotations may not necessarily represent actual transactions in the common stock.


Quarter Ended

High

Low

 

 

 

2006

May 31


$63.50


$21.60

August 31

$39.84

$25.60

November 30

$28.25

$16.63

 

 

 

2007

February 28


$26.12


$19.61

May 31

$23.18

$19.64

August 31

$20.07

$15.00

November 30

$17.60

$  8.53


Dividend Policy


We have also entered into loan agreements and related agreements with lenders who have loaned us funds to build the plants and to provide funding for working capital purposes. The loan agreements contain representations, warranties, conditions precedent, affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants. One of these covenants requires that dividends or other distributions to stockholders be limited to 40% of the profit net of income taxes for each fiscal year and may be paid only where we are expected to remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions. Furthermore, with respect to the fiscal years ending in 2008 and thereafter, an additional distribution may be made to stockholders in excess of the 40% limit for such fiscal year if we have made certain additional payments to the lender, and we will thereafter remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions on a pro forma basis net of said potential additional payment.


To date, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. The payment of dividends on our common stock in the future, if any, is at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors the board views as relevant. The payment of dividends is also limited by covenants in our loan agreements. The board does not intend to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.


Holders of Record



As of November 16, 2007, as reported to us by our transfer agent, there were 534 holders of record of our common stock not including beneficial holders whose shares are held in names other than their own. This figure does not include 3,320,926 shares held in depository trusts. The total active certificates, including the depository trusts shares, were 806.   


GLC MARKET PRICE AND PATRONAGE REFUND INFORMATION


Pursuant to GLC’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, GLC stock may be transferred only under very limited circumstances. GLC stock is not actively traded and it has no known market value. GLC has not paid patronage refunds to its members since fiscal year 2002.




20



RISK FACTORS


You should consider the following risk factors in evaluating whether to vote for the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the combination. These factors should be considered in conjunction with the other information included in this registration statement. References to “we,” “us” and “our” in this “Risk Factors” section refer to the operations of the combined organization following the completion of the combination.


Risks Relating to the Business Combination


The GLC members will have no control over the future operation of the combined company.


GLC currently operates under the supervision of nine directors who are elected by its voting members. Each of these directors is an agricultural producer who lives in the local area and is a customer of GLC. As a result, the management of GLC has attempted to be responsive to the needs of its members.


After this merger becomes effective, the business currently operated by GLC will operate under the supervision of the GPRE board of directors. While several of these directors are agricultural producers, none of them live within the GLC trade territory and none of them are customers of GLC.


The merger agreement does not provide any special provisions for representation of GLC members on the GPRE board of directors. The GPRE stock received by the current GLC members in this merger will entitle the current GLC members to cast in aggregate only approximately 7.1% of all of the eligible votes for the next election of GPRE directors.


The GLC business will be operated exclusively for the benefit of the GPRE members.


In addition to the changes in the directors who will be supervising operations as noted above, there will also be a change in the goals of the organization. As a customer owned cooperative, GLC has historically balanced the needs of its customer-members against the normal business goal of maximizing profits. This occasionally has resulted in GLC making decisions that were inconsistent with maximizing profits.


In contrast to these multiple goals, GLC members should expect that an investor-owned publicly-traded business corporation like GPRE will be focused primarily on maximizing profits. This may result in GPRE making decisions regarding improvements to facilities, purchase of equipment, staffing levels, and similar decisions that are different from those that would have been made if GLC had continued to operate as a cooperative association.


To close the merger, GPRE will need to raise an additional $12.5 million and there is no assurance that such funding will be available.


GPRE will be required to pay $12.5 million in funds to GLC members at closing. Although GPRE has held initial discussions with its principal lender, GPRE presently does not have a committed debt facility in place necessary to make this payment. GPRE believes it will secure the necessary debt financing under acceptable terms. However, the debt financing may involve significant restrictive covenants and costs. Although GPRE does not anticipate the issuance of additional equity in conjunction with this financing, any additional equity financing required would be dilutive to shareholders. Failure or inability to raise the required capital will result in GPRE’s proposed merger with GLC failing. There can be no assurance such financing will be available on terms satisfactory to the Company, if at all.  


GPRE and GLC may not be successful in their efforts to complete the merger.


The closing of the merger is subject to various conditions, including approval by GLC’s voting members. There can be no assurance that GLC’s voting members will approve the plan of merger or that the other closing contingencies will be satisfied.


The merger with GLC may be difficult to integrate, divert the attention of key personnel, disrupt our business, and adversely affect our financial results. 


The GLC merger involves numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including:


·

difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, products, existing contracts, accounting processes and personnel of GLC and realizing the anticipated synergies of the combined businesses;


·

risks relating to developing the infrastructure needed to integrate GLC’s operations;


·

difficulties in supporting and transitioning customers of GLC;







21



·

diversion of financial and management resources from existing operations;


·

the price we pay or other resources that we devote may exceed the value we realize, or the value we could have realized if we had allocated the purchase price or other resources to another opportunity;


·

risks of entering new markets or areas in which we have limited or no experience, or are outside our core competencies;


·

potential loss of key employees, customers and strategic alliances from either our current business or the business of GLC;


·

risks relating to unknown environmental hazards on the GLC’s properties;


·

assumption of unanticipated problems or latent liabilities associated with GLC; and


·

inability to generate sufficient revenues to offset acquisition costs and development costs.


Mergers and acquisitions also frequently result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets which are subject to potential impairments, periodic amortization, or both that could harm our financial results. As a result, if we fail to properly evaluate the GLC acquisition, we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, and we may incur costs in excess of what we anticipate. The failure to successfully evaluate and execute the GLC acquisition, or otherwise adequately address these risks, could materially harm our business and financial results.


Risks Affecting the Business of GPRE

Risks Related to the Common Stock   


We have capitalized our company with substantial debt leverage, resulting in substantial debt service requirements that could reduce the value of the GPRE stock.


We raised net proceeds of approximately $94.9 million in our equity offerings. Those funds have been used to build our first ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa, and for the construction to date of our second ethanol plant in Superior, Iowa. In addition, we have loans which, when fully drawn, are expected to total $97.0 million for the construction of the plants and to provide working capital for their operation.


We believe with the equity raised in our public offerings and the loans from our lenders that we will have sufficient funds to complete the ethanol plants and meet related working capital requirements.  However, based on our business risks, our capital structure will be highly leveraged. Our debt service requirements could have important consequences which could reduce the value of our common stock, including:  


·

limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for operating capital and other purposes or creating a situation in which such ability to borrow may be available on terms that are not favorable to us;


·

reducing funds available for operations and distributions because a substantial portion of our cash flow will be used to pay interest and principal on our debt;


·

making us vulnerable to increases in prevailing interest rates;


·

placing us at a competitive disadvantage because we may be substantially more leveraged than some of our competitors;


·

subjecting all, or substantially all of our assets to liens, which means that there will be virtually no assets left for stockholders in the event of a liquidation; and


·

limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions, which could increase our vulnerability to a downturn in our business or general economic conditions.


In the event that we are unable to pay our debt service obligations, we could be forced to: (a) reduce or eliminate dividends to stockholders, if they were to commence or (b) reduce or eliminate needed capital expenditures. It is possible that we could be forced to sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity capital or refinance or restructure all or a portion of our debt. In the event that we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or raise funds through asset sales, sales of equity or otherwise, our business would be adversely affected and we may be forced to liquidate, and investors could lose their entire investment.  




22



Our common stock is thinly traded.


There is currently a publicly-traded market for our common stock. Our common shares trade on both the NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. However, our shares are thinly traded and any investment made in our Company may be illiquid for an indefinite amount of time. Further, no assurance can be given that our shares will continue to be traded on these or any other exchange or market in the future.


Our lenders require us to abide by certain restrictive loan covenants that may hinder our ability to operate and reduce our profitability.


The loan agreements governing our secured debt financing contain a number of restrictive affirmative and negative covenants. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:


·

incur additional indebtedness;


·

make capital expenditures in excess of prescribed thresholds;


·

pay dividends to stockholders;


·

make various investments;


·

create liens on our assets;


·

acquire other companies or operations;


·

utilize the proceeds of asset sales; or


·

merge or consolidate or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.


We are also required to maintain specified financial ratios, including minimum cash flow coverage, minimum working capital and minimum net worth. Our loan agreements require we utilize a portion of any excess cash flow generated by operations to prepay our term debt. A breach of any of these covenants or requirements could result in a default under our loan agreements. If we default, and if such default is not cured or waived, our lenders could, among other remedies, accelerate our debt and declare that such debt is immediately due and payable. If this occurs, we may not be able to repay such debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance. Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable. Such an occurrence could cause us to cease building the Superior plant, or cease operations at our Shenandoah plant. No assurance can be given that our future operating results will be sufficient to achieve compliance with such covenants and requirements, or in the event of a default, to remedy such default.


The common stock may be diluted in value and will be subject to further dilution in value.


Prior to the merger, we had outstanding 7,240,565 shares of common stock, warrants exercisable for 1,113,235 shares of common stock at exercise prices of between $30 and $60 per share and stock options exercisable for 448,000 shares of common stock at exercise prices of between $9.30 and $30 per share. If for any reason we are required in the future to raise additional equity capital, if more warrants are exercised in the future, or if options of any kind or additional shares were issued to our officers and directors, or to other members of our management or employees, our current shareholders may suffer further dilution to their investment. There is no assurance that further dilution will not occur in the future.

Risks Related to the Company


We have limited operating history and our management has limited experience in the ethanol industry.


We were formed in June of 2004 and our first ethanol plant began operations in August 2007. However, we have no other history of operations as an ethanol producer. Our proposed operations are subject to all the risks inherent in the establishment of a new business enterprise. Other than our plant manager in Shenandoah, Iowa, no one else in the Company’s management has any material operational experience in the ethanol industry. There is no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to complete the Superior plant and operate both of the plants. Even if we successfully meet all of these objectives, there is no assurance that we will be able to market the ethanol and distillers grains produced or operate the plants profitably.




23



We may not be able to manage our start-up period effectively.


We anticipate a period of significant growth, involving the construction and start-up of operations of our two ethanol plants including the hiring of employees for the operation of the Superior plant. This period of growth and the start-up of the plants are likely to be a substantial challenge to us. We have limited financial and human resources. We will need to implement operational, financial and management systems and recruit, train, motivate and manage our employees. Each plant is located in areas of low unemployment. Although we believe that we can manage start-up effectively and properly staff our operations, there is no assurance that this will occur, and any failure by us to manage our start-up effectively could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan.


If our cash flow from operations is not sufficient to service our anticipated debts, then the business may fail and investors in our stock could lose their entire investment.


Our ability to repay our anticipated debt will depend on our financial and operating performance and on our ability to successfully implement our business strategy. We can provide no assurance that we will be successful in implementing our strategy or in realizing our anticipated financial results. Our financial and operational performance depends on numerous factors including prevailing economic conditions, volatile commodity prices and certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. Our cash flows and capital resources may be insufficient to repay our anticipated debt obligations. If we cannot pay our debt service, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, restructure our indebtedness or seek additional capital. If we are unable to restructure our indebtedness or raise funds through sales of assets, equity or otherwise, our ability to operate could be harmed and the value of our common stock could decline significantly.


The institutions lending funds to us hold a security interest in our assets, including the property and the plants. If we fail to make our debt service payments, the lenders will have the right to repossess the secured assets, including the property and the plants, in addition to other remedies. Such action would end our ability to continue operations. If we fail to make our financing payments and we cease operations, your rights as a holder of common stock are inferior to the rights of our creditors. We may not have sufficient assets to make any payments to you after we pay our creditors.


It is also our intention to attempt to build other plants at other locations, to expand at the sites on which we do build, and to aggressively pursue the acquisition of existing plants. If we are successful in accomplishing our goals, we may have to borrow even greater amounts of capital to fund said growth and/or issue additional shares of our stock. This could leverage us even further and cause greater dilution to our existing shareholders. If our cash flows were to diminish for any reason and we were not able to service our debt or raise additional equity through further sales of our shares, our lenders could call our debt and the value of our shares could decline substantially and holders of our shares could lose all or part of their investment.  


A necessary part of our plan of operations is the receipt of significant debt funding, of which there can be no assurance.


GPRE will be required to pay $12.5 million in funds to GLC members at closing. In addition, GLC’s operations require significant working capital for seasonal inventory and receivable levels. GPRE presently does not have a committed debt facility in place necessary to make this payment or finance required working capital. GPRE believes it will secure the necessary debt financing under acceptable terms. However, the debt financing may involve significant restrictive covenants and costs. Although GPRE does not anticipate the issuance of additional equity in conjunction with this financing, any additional equity financing required would be dilutive to shareholders. Failure or inability to raise the required capital will result in GPRE’s proposed merger with GLC failing. There can be no assurance such financing will be available on terms satisfactory to the Company, if at all.  


Our business success is dependent on unproven management.


Prior to the formation of our Company, none of our officers and directors had any experience in the ethanol industry, with the exception of Wayne Hoovestol, our Chief Executive Officer who is also a director of the Company. However, his experience had been limited to that of board member and investor in other ethanol companies .. During the past two and a half years, a great deal of knowledge concerning the ethanol industry has been acquired by our officers and directors. We have an experienced general manager and an experienced plant manager for our plant in Shenandoah.




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Currently we are recruiting additional management personnel for our Superior plant and various corporate staff functions. There is no assurance that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such individuals because of a limited number of individuals with expertise in the area and a competitive market with many new plants being constructed. Furthermore, we may have difficulty in attracting other competent personnel to relocate to Shenandoah, Iowa, or Superior, Iowa, in the event that such personnel are not available locally. Our failure to attract and retain such individuals would likely have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


We currently have nine directors. These individuals are experienced in business generally. Some have experience in governing and operating other companies in various industries, others in construction, one in oil and ethanol marketing, and one in operating truck lines, but only three of them have experience in organizing, building and operating an ethanol plant. It is also possible that one or more of our founding stockholders and/or initial directors may later become unable to serve, and we may be unable to recruit and retain suitable replacements.  


Our board of directors will have the exclusive right to make all decisions with respect to the management and operation of our business and our affairs. Investors will have no right to participate in the decisions of our board of directors or in the management of our operations. Investors will only be permitted to vote in a limited number of circumstances. Accordingly, any person acquiring securities is entrusting all aspects of our management to the board of directors. In addition, all members of our board of directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, are presently engaged in businesses and other activities outside of and in addition to our business. These other activities impose substantial demand on the time and attention of such directors.


We have a history of operating losses and may never achieve profitable operations.


At August 31, 2007, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $4.8 million. We expect to incur significant losses until we complete construction and commence operations at our Superior plant. Even if we successfully meet all of these objectives and begin operations at our second ethanol plant, no assurance can be given that we will be able to operate profitably.


We will be dependent on our design builders and technology providers for expertise in the commencement of operation at the Superior plant and any loss of these relationships could result in diminished returns or the entire loss of our investment.


We are dependent on our relationship with Agra Industries and Delta T, and their employees, who have experience in the construction, start-up and operation of ethanol plants. Any loss of our relationship with Agra and/or Delta T, particularly during the construction and start-up period for the Superior plant, may have a material adverse impact on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Casualty losses may occur for which we have not secured adequate insurance.


We have acquired insurance that we believe to be adequate to prevent loss from foreseeable risks. However, events occur for which no insurance is available or for which insurance is not available on terms that are acceptable to us. Loss from such an event, such as, but not limited to, earthquake, tornados, war, riot, terrorism or other risks, may not be insured and such a loss may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.

Risks Related to Construction of the Superior Plant


We will depend on key suppliers, whose failure to perform could hinder our ability to operate profitably and decrease the value of your investment.


We are highly dependent upon Agra Industries and Delta T to design and build the Superior plant. There are general risks and potential delays associated with such a project, including, but not limited to, fire, weather, permitting issues, and delays in the provision of materials or labor to the construction site. Although we are not aware of any parts needed to construct our Superior that may be backordered, we realize that certain parts for ethanol plants have become backordered from time to time and that we may not be able to get delivery of necessary parts in a timely manner. We believe that both Agra Industries and Delta T have entered into other contracts to build ethanol plants for other owners, due to the rapid expansion taking place in the U.S. ethanol industry. There is a risk that Agra Industries and Delta T have taken on so much work that they might not be able to perform in a timely manner. Any significant delay in the planned completion date may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


The agreements with Agra Industries and Delta T contain liquidated damages or consequential damages provisions. This would benefit us, but it could result in an early completion bonus. Our payment of an early completion bonus could substantially reduce our net cash flows and financial performance during the periods of the payment of such bonus.




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We will depend on our design builder and technology provider for training of personnel.


We are highly dependent upon our design builder and technology provider to train our personnel in operating the Superior plant. If the plant is built but does not operate to the level anticipated by us in our business plan, we will rely on our design builder and technology provider to adequately address such deficiencies. There is no assurance that they will be able to address such deficiencies in an acceptable manner. Failure to do so could have a material adverse affect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Construction delays could result in a delay in our commencement of operations and generation of revenue, if any, from our Superior plant.


Our Superior plant is expected to begin operations in early 2008. However, it could be later under the contract we have with Agra Industries. Construction projects often involve delays in obtaining permits, construction delays due to weather conditions, or other events that delay the construction schedule. In addition, changes in interest rates or the credit environment or changes in political administrations at the federal, state or local level that result in policy change towards ethanol or this project, could cause construction and operation delays. If it takes longer to obtain necessary permits or construct the plant in Superior than we anticipate, it would delay our ability to generate revenues at that location and make it difficult for us to meet our debt service obligations. This could reduce the value of our common stock and could negatively affect our ability to execute our plan of operation.


If there are defects in the Superior plant’s construction, it may negatively affect our ability to operate the plant.


There is no assurance that defects in materials and/or workmanship in the Superior plant will not occur. Under the terms of the design-build contracts, our builders have warranted that the material and equipment furnished to build the plant would be new, of good quality, and free from material defects in material or workmanship at the time of delivery. Though the design-build contract requires our builders to correct all defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year after substantial completion of the plant, material defects in material or workmanship may still occur. Such defects could cause us to delay the commencement of operations of the Superior plant or, if such defects are discovered after operations have commenced, to halt or discontinue the plant’s operations. Any such event may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Any delay or unanticipated cost in providing rail service infrastructure to the plants could significantly impede our ability to successfully operate the plants at a profit.


We are building an extensive loop track at the Superior plant that will allow us to load unit trains of ethanol and distillers grains we produce. We believe that the third party who is doing this work will be able to complete the track in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements indicated by the Union Pacific Railroad. However, no assurance can be given that the work can be completed for the amount we have budgeted or in a timely manner. If we were not able to complete the track prior to the completion of the plant, this would have a material adverse effect on us, our cash flows and financial performance.


Any material variations to the actual cost verses our cost estimates relating to the construction and operation of the Superior plant could materially and adversely affect our ability to operate the plant profitably.


It is anticipated that Agra Industries will construct the plant in Superior and the total cost of the plant is estimated to be $96.3 million, based on the plans and specifications in the design-build contract with Agra Industries, comprised of $79.6 million in plant construction costs and $16.7 million of other costs. These costs do not include approximately $8.0 million in working capital to purchase such things as corn, enzymes, denaturant, and natural gas at start up and $0.8 million in pre-production period general and administrative costs.


There is no assurance that there will not be design changes or cost overruns associated with the construction of the plants. Any significant increase in the estimated construction cost of the plants may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.



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Risks Related to Ethanol Production


Our ability to operate at a profit is largely dependent on prices of corn , natural gas, ethanol and distillers grains.


Our results of operations and financial condition will be significantly affected by the cost and supply of grain and natural gas and by the selling price for ethanol and distillers grains. Prices and supplies are subject to and determined by market forces over which we have no control. We will be dependent on the availability and price of corn. Although the areas surrounding the plants produce a significant amount of corn and we do not anticipate problems sourcing corn, there is no assurance that a shortage will not develop, particularly if other ethanol plants were to be built in close proximity to our plants, there were an extended drought or other production problem. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results may fluctuate substantially.  Based on recent forward prices of corn and ethanol, we may be operating our plants at low to possibly negative operating margins. Increases in corn prices or decreases in prices of ethanol or distillers grains prices may result in it being unprofitable to operate our plants.  No assurance can be given that we will be able to purchase corn at prices anywhere near the historic averages of corn in Iowa; that we will be able to purchase natural gas at, or near, its current price; that we will be able to sell ethanol at, or near, current prices; or that we will be able to sell our distillers grains at, or near, current prices.  Commodities prices have been extremely volatile in the past and are expected to be extremely volatile in the future, due to factors beyond our control, such as weather, domestic and global demand, shortages, export prices and various governmental policies in the U.S. and around the world.


We have been and anticipate continuing to purchase our corn from farmers in the areas surrounding the plants and in the cash market, and hedging corn through futures contracts or with options to reduce short-term exposure to price fluctuations. We may contract with third parties to manage our hedging activities and corn purchasing. Our purchasing and hedging activities may or may not lower our price of corn, and in a period of declining corn prices, these advance purchase and hedging strategies may result in our paying a higher price for corn than our competitors. Further, hedging for protection against the adverse changes in the price of corn may be unsuccessful, and could result in substantial losses to us. Generally, higher corn prices will produce lower profit margins. This is especially true since ethanol market conditions do not allow us to pass through increased corn costs to our customers. If a period of high corn prices were to be sustained for some time, such pricing may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Our revenues will also be dependent on the market prices for ethanol and distillers grains. These prices can be volatile as a result of a number of factors. These factors include the overall supply and demand of ethanol, the price of gasoline, the level of government support, and the availability and price of competing products. For instance, the price of ethanol tends to increase as the price of gasoline increases, and the price of ethanol tends to decrease as the price of gasoline decreases. However, this relationship is continually changing based on market forces and may result in reduced competiveness of ethanol in the marketplace. Any lowering of gasoline prices will likely also lead to lower prices for ethanol and adversely affect our operating results


Increased ethanol production may negatively affect ethanol prices and materially reduce our ability to operate successfully.


We believe that ethanol production is expanding rapidly at this time. There are a number of new plants under construction throughout the United States and many other projects planned for construction. We further believe that many existing ethanol plants are planning to expand their production. With the current rapid expansion taking place within the ethanol industry, demand for ethanol must also increase dramatically. However, we cannot provide any assurance that there will be any material or significant increase in the demand for ethanol. Further, increasing production of ethanol may lead to lower ethanol prices, and the increased production of ethanol could have other adverse effects as well. For example, the increased production could lead to increased supplies of co-products from the production of ethanol, such as distillers grains. Those increased supplies could lead to lower prices for those co-products. Also, the increased production of ethanol could result in a further increase in the demand for corn. This could result in higher prices for corn creating lower profits. There can be no assurance as to the price of ethanol, corn, or distillers grains in the future. Adverse changes affecting these prices may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


We expect to compete with existing and future ethanol plants and oil companies, which may result in diminished returns on your investment.


We operate in a very competitive environment. We compete with large, multi-product, multi-national companies that have much greater resources than we currently have or will have in the future. We may face competition for capital, labor, management, corn and other resources.  




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We anticipate that as additional ethanol plants are constructed and brought on line, the supply of ethanol will increase. The absence of increased demand may result in lower ethanol prices. No assurance can be given that we will be able to compete successfully or that such competition will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


The risk also exists that other gasoline additives could be developed in the future that could be used as oxygenates (as was MTBE) that could be produced for less than we will be able to produce ethanol. If that were to occur, the demand for ethanol could diminish. Any such occurrence could have an adverse effect on our ability to operate our business profitably.


Ethanol may be produced from feedstocks other than corn. As technology develops, the use of alternative feedstocks in the production of ethanol may become more cost-effective than corn-based production. These developments could cause the price for ethanol to decline and have an adverse effect on our profitability.


We are dependent on third-party brokers to sell our product which may result in diminished returns.


We currently have no sales force of our own to market ethanol and distillers grains and do not intend to establish such a sales force. We intend to sell all of our ethanol to a third-party broker, Renewable Products Marketing Group (“RPMG”), pursuant to our contracts with RPMG, and intend to do the same with a third-party broker, CHS Inc., to market and sell our distillers grains. As a result, we will be dependent on these third-party brokers. If RPMG breaches the contract or does not have the ability (for financial or other reasons) to purchase all of the ethanol we produce, we will not have any readily available means to sell our ethanol. Our lack of a sales force and reliance on third parties to sell and market our products may place us at a competitive disadvantage. Our failure to sell all of our ethanol and distillers grains may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Engaging in hedging activities to minimize the potential volatility of corn prices could result in substantial costs and expenses.


In an attempt to minimize the effects of the volatility of corn and natural gas costs on operating profits, we have taken hedging positions in the corn and natural gas futures markets and will likely take additional hedging positions in these commodities the future. Hedging means protecting the price at which we buy corn and the price at which we will sell our products in the future. It is a way to attempt to reduce the risk caused by price fluctuation. The effectiveness of such hedging activities is dependent upon, among other things, the cost of corn and natural gas and our ability to sell sufficient amounts of ethanol and distillers grains. Although we will attempt to link hedging activities to sales plans and pricing activities, such hedging activities can themselves result in costs because price movements in corn contracts and natural gas are highly volatile and are influenced by many factors that are beyond our control.


Our ability to successfully operate is dependent on the availability of energy and water at anticipated prices.


The plants will require a significant and uninterrupted supply of electricity, natural gas and water to operate. We have entered into agreements with local gas, electric, and water utilities to provide our needed energy and water. However, no assurance can be given that those utilities will be able to reliably supply the gas, electricity, and water that we need.


If there is an interruption in the supply of energy or water for any reason, such as supply, delivery or mechanical problems, we may be required to halt production. If production is halted for an extended period of time, it may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


We have entered into an agreement with U.S. Energy Services, Inc. to negotiate and purchase natural gas and secure related natural gas pipeline capacity for our plants from third party providers. There can be no assurance given that we or U.S. Energy Services will be able to obtain a sufficient supply of natural gas for our plants or that we will be able to procure alternative sources of natural gas on acceptable terms. Higher natural gas prices may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


We will also need to purchase significant amounts of electricity to operate the plants. We have negotiated an agreement with MidAmerican Energy to supply electricity to the plant in Shenandoah for a period of five years. No assurance can be given that we will be able to negotiate contract extensions at favorable rates after the five year period is over. We have entered into an agreement with the Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative and the Corn Belt Cooperative to supply electricity to the Superior plant. Electricity prices have historically fluctuated significantly. Sustained increases in the price of electricity in the future would increase our cost of production. As a result, these issues may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.




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Sufficient availability and quality of water are important requirements to produce ethanol. We anticipate that water requirements at each plant will be approximately 400 to 800 gallons per minute, depending on the quality of the water at our plants. The town of Shenandoah has sufficient capacities of water to meet our needs and we have negotiated a contract with the city to supply water to the plant at a price that we believe will be favorable to our operations. However, no assurance can be given that a prolonged drought could not diminish the water supplies in the areas of the Shenandoah plant, or that we would continue to have sufficient water supplies in the future. The City of Shenandoah recently drilled a well to augment the grey water that will be going to the plant. We anticipate obtaining our water supply for the Superior ethanol plant from two wells to be drilled on the site. If a drought were to occur, we may have to purchase water from other sources, such as the local rural water company, which would cost more. If we ever had to do this, it may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial performance and could even cause us to cease production for periods of time.


Risk of foreign competition from producers who can produce ethanol at less expensive prices than it can be produced from corn in the United States.


We believe there are large international companies that have much greater resources than we have, developing foreign ethanol production capacity.


Companies in Brazil make ethanol primarily from sugarcane for significantly less than what it costs to make ethanol from corn in Iowa. Brazil also exports ethanol directly to the U.S., paying the tariff when ethanol prices are high enough to do so. If significant additional foreign capacity is created, such facilities could produce a glut of ethanol on the world markets. Such a glut could lower the price of ethanol throughout the world, including the U.S. If this were to happen, it could have an adverse effect our operations and potential profitability.


Further, if the import duty on foreign ethanol were to ever be lifted for any reason, our ability to compete with such foreign companies would be drastically reduced. Although, at this time, such risks cannot be precisely quantified, we believe that such risks exist, and could increase in the future.

Risks Related to Regulation and Governmental Action


The loss of favorable tax benefits for ethanol production could adversely affect the market for ethanol.


The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 created the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit (“VEETC”).  VEETC was established to replace the partial tax exemption ethanol-blended fuel received from the federal excise tax on gasoline. Under VEETC, the tax incentive was shifted from a partial exemption from the federal excise tax to a tax credit based on the volume of ethanol blended with gasoline. Referred to as the blender’s credit, VEETC provides companies with a tax credit to blend ethanol with gasoline totaling 51 cents per gallon of pure ethanol, or approximately 5.1 cents per gallon for E10 and 43 cents per gallon on E85. VEETC provides the tax incentive through December 31, 2010. Often the tax credit is passed on to motorists in the form of more cost-effective fuel at the pump.


These tax incentives to the ethanol industry may not continue beyond their scheduled expiration date or, if they continue, the incentives may not be at the same level. The revocation or amendment of any one or more of those laws, regulations or programs could adversely affect the future use of ethanol in a material way. We cannot assure you that any of those laws, regulations or programs will continue. The elimination or reduction of federal tax incentives to the ethanol industry would have a material adverse impact on our business by making it more costly or difficult for us to produce and sell ethanol.


Our inability to obtain required regulatory permits and/or approvals will impede our ability and may prohibit completely our ability to successfully operate the plants.


We are subject to extensive air, water and other environmental regulation. We have had to obtain a number of environmental permits to construct and operate the plants. Ethanol production involves the emission of various airborne pollutants, including particulate (PM10), carbon dioxide (CO²), oxides of nitrogen (N0x) and volatile organic compounds. As a result, we obtained air quality permits from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”). We believe we have obtained the permits necessary for operation of the Shenandoah plant and to commence construction at the Superior plant, including our air permits. However, we still need to apply for and obtain certain other permits before we can commence operations at the Superior plant. We anticipate that we will be able to obtain these permits before the times that they will be needed. However, if for any reason any of these permits are not granted, construction costs for the Superior plants may increase. In addition, the IDNR could impose conditions or other restrictions in the permits that are detrimental to us or which increase costs to us above those assumed in this project. Any such event would likely have a material adverse impact on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.




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A change in environmental and safety regulations or violations thereof could impede our ability to successfully operate the plants.


We may also be subject to changes in environmental regulations. Currently the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) statutes and rules do not require us to obtain separate EPA approval in connection with construction and operation of the plants. Additionally, environmental laws and regulations, both at the federal and state level, are subject to change and changes can be made retroactively. It is possible that more stringent federal or state environmental rules or regulations could be adopted, which could increase our operating costs and expenses.  Consequently, even if we have the proper permits at the present time, we may be required to invest or spend considerable resources to comply with future environmental regulations. Furthermore, plant operations are governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA regulations may change such that the costs of operations at the plants may increase. If any of these events were to occur, they may have a material adverse impact on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


The loss of favorable government usage mandates affecting ethanol production could adversely affect the market for ethanol.


Federal laws that required the use of oxygenated gasoline and encouraged ethanol production and use were changed substantially in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (“EPACT”). EPACT eliminated the mandated use of oxygenates and established minimum nationwide levels of renewable fuels, referred to as the Renewable Fuels Standard (“RFS”), to be used in gasoline. Enacted  in December  2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 increased RFS for conventional biofuel, which includes corn-based ethanol, and established a separate RFS category for advanced biofuels. Another key policy aspect of EPACT was the elimination of MTBE liability protection sought by refiners. MTBE, a chemical element believed to cause groundwater contamination, was previously used as an oxygenate in gasoline. The federal government has encouraged the use of oxygenated gasoline as a measure to protect the environment since the 1990s. Ethanol replaced MTBE as an oxygenate in many cities that required reformulated gasoline. Consequently, demand for ethanol increased significantly since the passage of EPACT in July 2005. While the federally mandated RFS has set a floor for ethanol use, many states have also passed some type of renewable fuels legislation (either production or use incentives) that could raise the actual use of ethanol in transportation fuel above the EPACT mandate.


These federal and state mandates and incentives may be modified in the future. The revocation or amendment of any one or more of those laws, regulations or programs could adversely affect the future use of ethanol in a material way. For example, changes in the environmental regulations regarding the required oxygen content of automobile emissions could have an adverse effect on the ethanol industry.  The elimination or reduction of federal and state mandates and incentives would have a material adverse impact on our business by potentially reducing the demand for ethanol.  We cannot assure you that any of those laws, regulations or programs will continue. Any of these regulatory factors may result in higher costs or other materially adverse conditions effecting our operations, cash flows and financial performance.

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest


We have conflicts of interest with our design builders and technology providers which could result in loss of capital and reduced financial performance.


Our Company is and will continue to be advised by one or more employees or associates of our design builders and technology providers. Our design builders and technology providers are expected to continue to be involved in substantially all material aspects of our plant construction and operations for some time. Some of our design builder and technology providers have an ownership interest in us. Consequently, the terms and conditions of our agreements and understandings with them may not have been negotiated at arm’s length. Therefore, there is no assurance that our arrangements with such parties are as favorable to us as could have been if obtained from unaffiliated third parties. In addition, because of the extensive role that they are expected to have in the construction and operation of the plants, it may be difficult or impossible for us to enforce claims that we may have against them, if such things were to arise. If this were to occur, it may have a material adverse impact on our operations, cash flows and financial performance.


Our design builders and technology providers and their affiliates may also have conflicts of interest because employees or agents of our design builders and technology providers are involved as owners, creditors and in other capacities with other ethanol plants in the United States. We cannot require design builders and technology providers to devote their full time or attention to our activities


Though we will attempt to address actual or potential material conflicts of interest as they arise or become known, we have not established any formal procedures to address or resolve conflicts of interest. There is no assurance that any conflict of interest will not have adverse consequences to our operations, cash flows and financial performance.




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Unidentified Risks


The foregoing discussion is not a complete list or explanation of the risks involved with an investment in this business. Additional risks will likely be experienced that are not presently foreseen by us. Investors are not to construe this report as constituting legal or tax advice. Before making any decision to invest in us, investors should read this entire report, including all of its exhibits, and consult with their own investment, legal, tax and other professional advisors. An investor should be aware that we will assert that the investor consented to the risks and the conflicts of interest described or inherent in this report if the investor brings a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, managers, employee, advisors, agents or representatives.


Risks Affecting the Business of GLC


The operation of new ethanol plants in GLC’s trade territory could substantially reduce the volume of corn that it buys and merchandises, which would adversely affect the operating income of its Grain Division.


GLC’s largest single source of operating income is from buying corn and soybeans from producers and share-crop landlords, drying and storing these grain products, and merchandising them to various purchasers. Three ethanol plants are currently operating within or near GLC’s trade territory at Albert City, Ashton, and Emmetsburg. Three additional ethanol plants are under construction within or near GLC’s trade territory at Hartley, and Superior, Iowa (which is GPRE’s ethanol plant that is currently under construction) and at Welcome, Minnesota. In addition, another ethanol operator has announced its intention to construct an ethanol plant at Fairmont, Minnesota. If all of these ethanol plants are eventually constructed and operated at full capacity, we believe they would buy approximately 206 million bushels of corn each year. This compares to approximately 18 million bushels of corn GLC merchandized during its 2007 fiscal year.


The significant capital costs of an ethanol plant and the high costs of temporarily shutting down an ethanol plant provide strong incentives for these plants to be continuously operated, even during periods of high corn prices relative to the price of ethanol. As a result, the operators of ethanol plants often are willing to buy the corn necessary to maintain production at prices that may exceed the prices being paid by other corn end-users. In contrast, GLC is limited in the price that it can pay for corn by the prices at which it can sell the corn to various buyers. This disparity in corn pricing may result in GLC being unable to profitably buy corn during certain periods, which would reduce the annual volume of corn and its operating profits. GLC may also be forced to pay higher prices for corn in order to fulfill contractual grain delivery obligations, resulting in a loss on the purchase and resale of corn or a reduction in the profit margin on such corn.


It is impossible to predict the impact of the operation of these ethanol plants within or near GLC’s trade territory on GLC’s profitability since there is no comparable historical experience.


The markets for GLC’s products are highly competitive.


Competitive pressures in all of GLC’s businesses could affect the price of and customer demand for its products, thereby negatively impacting its profit margins and resulting in a loss of market share. In addition to the special risks from the ethanol industry discussed above, GLC’s grain business also competes with other grain merchandisers, grain processors and end-users for the purchase of grain, as well as with other grain merchandisers, private elevator operators and cooperatives for the sale of grain. Many of GLC’s competitors are significantly larger and compete in more diverse markets.


GLC’s ability to effectively operate would be impaired if it fails to attract and retain key personnel.


GLC’s ability to operate its business and implement its strategies effectively depends, in part, on the efforts of its executive officers and other key employees. Its management team has significant industry experience and would be difficult to replace. These individuals possess sales, marketing, financial, risk management and administrative skills that are critical to the operation of its business. In addition, the market for employees with the required technical expertise to succeed in GLC’s business is highly competitive and it may be unable to attract and retain qualified personnel to replace key employees should the need arise. The loss of the services of any of GLC’s key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could impair its ability to operate and make it difficult to execute its internal growth strategies, thereby adversely affecting its business.


Disruption or difficulties with GLC’s information technology could impair its ability to operate its business.


GLC’s business depends on its effective and efficient use of information technology. A disruption or failure of these systems could cause system interruptions, delays in production and a loss of critical data that could severely affect its ability to conduct normal business operations.




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GLC’s pension plan is subject to changes in laws and assumptions which could have a significant impact on the necessary cash flows needed to fund this plan, and introduce volatility into the annual expense of this plan.


GLC could be impacted by a rise in the cost of pension and other post-retirement benefits. It may be required to make cash contributions to the extent necessary to comply with minimum funding requirements under applicable law, which may change in the future. These cash flows are dependent on various assumptions used to calculate such amounts, including discount rates, long-term return on plan assets, salary increases, health care cost trend rates and other factors. These cash flows are also dependent on the future investment experience of the plan. Changes to any of these assumptions, or variance between assumed and actual investment experience, could have a significant impact on these estimates and the required annual pension contributions.


GLC may not be able to maintain sufficient insurance coverage.


GLC’s business operations entail a number of risks, including property damage, business interruption and liability coverage. It maintains insurance for certain of these risks, including property insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, business interruption, general liability and other insurance. There is no guarantee that such insurance will be available on a cost-effective basis in the future. In addition, although GLC’s insurance is designed to protect it against losses attributable to certain events, coverage may not be adequate to cover all such losses.


GLC’s business may be adversely affected by conditions beyond its control, including weather conditions, political developments, disruptions in transportation, and international petroleum risks.


Many of GLC’s business activities are dependent on weather conditions. Weather risks may result in: (a) a reduction in the sales of fertilizer and pesticides caused by too much rain during application periods, (b) a reduction in grain harvests caused by too little or too much rain during the growing season, (c) a reduction in grain harvests caused by too much rain or an early freeze during the harvest season, and (d) damage to corn stored on an open pile caused by too much rain and warm weather before the corn is dried, shipped, consumed or moved into a storage structure.


National and international political developments subject GLC’s business to a variety of security risks, including bio-terrorism, and other terrorist threats to data security and physical loss to its facilities. In order to protect itself against these risks and stay current with new government legislation and regulatory actions, GLC may need to incur significant costs. No level of regulatory compliance can guarantee that security threats will never occur.


If there were a disruption in available transportation due to natural disaster, strike or other factors, GLC may be unable to get raw materials inventory to its facilities, product to its customers, or ship grain to market. This could disrupt GLC’s operations and cause it to be unable to meet its customers’ needs or fulfill its contractual grain delivery obligations.


The international nature of petroleum production, import restrictions, embargoes and refining capacity limitations could severely impact the availability of petroleum products causing severe economic hardship on the performance of GLC’s Petroleum Division.


Many of GLC’s business lines are affected by the supply and demand of commodities, and are sensitive to factors outside of its control. Adverse price movements could adversely affect its profitability and results of operations.


GLC buys, sells and holds inventories of various commodities, some of which are readily traded on commodity futures exchanges. Weather, economic, political, environmental and technological conditions and developments, both local and worldwide, as well as other factors beyond GLC’s control, can affect the supply and demand of these commodities and expose it to liquidity pressures due to rapidly rising or falling market prices. Changes in the supply and demand of these commodities can also affect the value of inventories held by GLC, as well as the price of raw materials. Increased costs of inventory and prices of raw materials could decrease profit margins and adversely affect profitability.


While GLC hedges the majority of its grain inventory positions with derivative instruments to manage risk associated with commodity price changes, including purchase and sale contracts, it is unable to hedge 100% of the price risk of each transaction due to timing, unavailability of hedge contracts counterparties, and third party credit risk. Furthermore, there is a risk that the derivatives GLC employs will not be effective in offsetting the changes associated with the risks it is trying to manage. This can happen when the derivative and the hedged item are not perfectly matched. GLC’s grain derivatives, for example, do not hedge the basis pricing component of its grain inventory and contracts. (Basis is defined as the difference between the cash price of a commodity in a GLC facility and the nearest in time exchange-traded futures price.) Differences can reflect time periods, locations or product forms. Although the basis component is smaller and generally less volatile than the futures component of grain market price, significant unfavorable basis movement on a grain position as large as GLC’s can significantly impact its profitability. In addition, GLC does not hedge non-grain commodities.




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Since GLC buys and sells commodity derivatives on registered and non-registered exchanges, its derivatives are subject to margin calls. If there is a significant movement in the derivatives market, GLC could incur a significant amount of liabilities, which would impact its liquidity and its interest expense. There is no assurance that that the efforts GLC takes to mitigate the impact of the volatility of the prices of commodities will be successful, and any sudden change in the price of these commodities could have an adverse affect on liquidity and profitability.


Many of GLC’s business segments operate in highly regulated industries. Changes in government regulations or trade association policies could adversely affect our results of operations.


Many of GLC’s business segments are subject to government regulation and regulation by certain private sector associations, compliance with which can impose significant costs on its business. Failure to comply with such regulations can result in additional costs, fines or criminal action.


Grain production and trade flows are affected by government actions.


Production levels, markets and prices of the grains GLC merchandises are affected by federal government programs, which include acreage control and price support programs of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). In addition, grain sold by GLC must conform to official grade standards imposed by the USDA. Other examples of government policies that can have an impact on GLC’s business include tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions and outright embargos. Changes in government policies and producer supports may impact the amount and type of grains planted, which in turn, may impact GLC’s ability to buy grain in its market region. Because a portion of GLC’s grain sales are to exporters, the imposition of export restrictions could limit its sales opportunities.


GLC handles potentially hazardous materials in its businesses. If environmental requirements become more stringent or if GLC experiences unanticipated environmental hazards, it could be subject to significant costs and liabilities.


A significant part of GLC’s business is regulated by environmental laws and regulations, including those governing the labeling, use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials. Because GLC uses and handles hazardous substances in its businesses, changes in environmental requirements or an unanticipated significant adverse environmental event could have a material adverse effect on its business. There is no assurance that GLC has been, or will at all times be, in compliance with all environmental requirements, or that it will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Private parties, including current and former employees, could bring personal injury or other claims against GLC due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances used, stored or disposed of by GLC, or contained in its products. GLC is also exposed to residual risk because some of the facilities and land which it has acquired may have environmental liabilities arising from their prior use. In addition, changes to environmental regulations may require GLC to modify its existing plant and processing facilities and could significantly increase the cost of those operations.


GLC relies on a limited number of suppliers for its products, and the loss of one or several of these suppliers could increase its costs and have a material adverse effect on its business.


GLC relies on a limited number of suppliers for its products. If it is unable to obtain these raw materials and products from its current vendors, or if there were significant increases in its suppliers’ prices, it could disrupt operations, thereby significantly increasing its costs and reducing profit margins.


GLC’s substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its financial condition, decrease its liquidity and impair its ability to operate.


GLC is dependent on a significant amount of debt to fund its operations and contractual commitments. This indebtedness could interfere with its ability to operate its business. For example, it could:


·

limit its ability to obtain additional financing, which could impact its ability to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general needs, as well as limit its flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in its business and restrict it from making strategic acquisitions, investing in new products or capital assets and taking advantage of business opportunities;


·

require it  to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flows from operating activities to payments on its indebtedness, which would reduce the cash flows available for other uses; and


·

place it at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors with less debt.




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If cash on hand is insufficient to pay its obligations or margin calls as they come due at a time when GLC is unable to draw on its credit facility, this could have an effect on its ability to conduct business. GLC’s ability to make payments on and to refinance its indebtedness will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future. Its ability to generate cash is dependent on various factors. These factors include general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond its control. Certain of its long-term borrowings include provisions that impose minimum levels of working capital and equity, impose limitations on additional debt and require that grain inventory positions be substantially hedged. GLC’s ability to satisfy these provisions can be affected by events beyond its control, such as the demand for and fluctuating price of grain. Noncompliance with these loan covenants could result in default and acceleration of long-term debt payments.




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CAUTIONARY INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This registration statement contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements included in this registration statement or made by management of GPRE or GLC, other than statements of historical fact regarding GPRE or GLC, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about:


·

the GPRE board of directors’ and the GLC board of directors’ reasons for the combination and expected benefits of the combination;


·

expectations regarding the timing of the transactions;


·

expectations regarding integration of the business operations;


·

the availability and adequacy of our cash flow to meet our requirements, including payment of loans;


·

economic, competitive, demographic, business and other conditions in our local and regional markets;


·

changes or developments in laws, regulations or taxes in the ethanol, agricultural or energy industries;


·

actions taken or omitted to be taken by third parties including our design builders, our technology providers, our suppliers and competitors, as well as legislative, regulatory, judicial and other governmental authorities;


·

competition in the ethanol industry;


·

the loss of any license or permit;


·

the loss of our plants due to casualty, weather, mechanical failure or any extended or extraordinary maintenance or inspection that may be required;


·

changes in our business strategy, capital improvements or development plans;


·

the availability of additional capital to support capital improvements and development; and


·

other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in this report.


This registration statement contains forward-looking statements based on current projections about operations, industry, financial condition and liquidity. Words such as “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “may,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, the combination or the business of the combined organization identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Those statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results could differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements.


All forward-looking statements reflect present expectations of future events by GPRE’s and GLC’s management and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the risks related to the businesses of GPRE, GLC and the combined organization, the uncertainty concerning the completion of the combination and the matters discussed under “Risk Factors,” among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the relative valuations of GPRE and GLC, the market’s difficulty in valuing the combined business, the possible failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the combination and the conflicts of interest of directors recommending the combination. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Neither GPRE nor GLC is under any obligation, and each expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.




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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF GLC VOTING MEMBERS


Date, Time and Place


The GLC special member meeting will be held on February 4, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. , local time, at Great Lakes Cooperative, 701 North Main Street, Everly, Iowa  51338 ..


Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting of GLC Voting Members


The purpose of the GLC special member meeting is to vote on the Agreement and Plan of Merger and related matters.


Record Date


The GLC Articles of Incorporation provide that each owner of a share of Class A Common Stock is a voting member of GLC. The GLC Bylaws provide that the voting members of record according to the member record books on the date notice is given of any meeting will be the members entitled to notice of and to vote at that meeting. As of the date of this registration statement, GLC had 1,127 voting members.


Voting Power


Each record holder of a share of GLC Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote at the special member meeting.


Quorum and Votes Required


The merger agreement provides that it is a condition to completion of the combination that the merger agreement be adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members who cast ballots on the merger, with a majority of the voting members casting ballots. Approval of any necessary adjournment of the special member meeting to obtain a quorum may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy, even if less than a quorum.


Board Recommendation


After careful consideration, the GLC board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the combination and has determined that the merger agreement and the combination are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of, the members of GLC. Therefore, the GLC board of directors recommends GLC members vote “FOR” adoption of the merger agreement.


Voting by Absentee Ballots


Enclosed with this registration statement are a ballot and two envelopes. To vote by absentee ballot, a GLC voting member completes the ballot, seals it in the smaller envelope, seals the smaller envelope in the larger envelope, and then returns this envelope to GLC. The envelopes will remain sealed until after the last call for ballots at the special member meeting on February 4, 2008. At this meeting, the envelopes will be publicly opened and the ballots will be tabulated. A voting member may obtain additional ballots and envelopes if the enclosed copies are lost or the member wants to change his or her ballot. A voting member must sign his or her name on the outside of the larger envelope if that envelope does not have a pre-printed return address on it.


A voting member may cast his or her ballot at any of the informational meetings that will be conducted by GLC or at the special member meeting on February 4, 2008 ..  Mailed ballots must be mailed early enough to allow time for delays in the mail. Only ballots that are received by the last call for ballots at the special member meeting on February 4, 2008 will be counted. A voting member can also cast his or her ballot by dropping it off at any GLC office before this special member meeting. A member can safely vote early, because a member can change his or her vote by completing and returning a new ballot (only the last ballot cast will be counted).


No Proxy Voting Allowed


Iowa law does not allow the use of voting proxies by the members of GLC.




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THE COMBINATION


This section of the registration statement describes material aspects of the combination. While GPRE and GLC believe that the description covers the material terms of the combination, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the combination, you should carefully read this entire registration statement, the attached appendixes and the other documents referred to in this registration statement.


General Description of the Combination


GPRE has agreed to acquire GLC under the terms of a merger agreement between the companies that is described in this proxy statement/prospectus. Under the terms of the merger agreement, it is anticipated that a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE, Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc., will merge with and into GLC with GLC surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE. Upon completion of the merger, each outstanding GLC share will be converted, pursuant to the terms set forth in the merger agreement, into the right to receive cash and shares as follows.  


Members who own GLC stock with a par value of more than $1,000 (“Large Shareholders”) will receive a combination of GPRE stock and cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Large Shareholder will be added together, and the member will receive:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock;


·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock (subject to the treatment of fractional shares described below); and


·

an interest in the Escrow Account described below.


GPRE does not issue fractional shares. The fractional shares that would have been issued to the Large Shareholders will instead be converted into cash. This conversion will be based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date).


The GLC members who own GLC stock with a par value of less than $1,000 (“Small Shareholders”) will receive only cash after the Closing. The par value of all of the classes of stock owned by each Small Shareholder will be added together, and the member will initially receive cash equal to 166.27567% of the total par value of his or her GLC stock. In addition, Small Shareholders will receive an interest in the Escrow Account as described below.


The cash conversion ratio for Small Shareholders has been computed as follows:


·

cash equal to 101.9203% of the total par value of GLC stock (the same ratio used for Large Shareholders); and


·

  0.047284228 shares of GPRE stock for each dollar of par value of GLC stock, which is converted into a cash payment. This conversion was based on a price of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock (which may be less or more than the market price of GPRE stock on the Closing date). This results in additional cash equal to 64.35537% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Adding these two elements produces a conversion ratio of 166.27567% of the total par value of GLC stock.


Background of the Combination


GPRE and GLC first became acquainted during discussions about potential grain purchasing requirements for GPRE’s ethanol plant currently under construction in Superior, Iowa. GLC has grain receiving facilities and conducts a substantial portion of its grain business in or around Superior. GPRE initially approached GLC about acquiring corn and subsequent negotiations focused on the potential for GLC to serve on a regular basis as an originator of a significant portion of GPRE’s corn requirements for the Superior ethanol plant. Ultimately, these negotiations evolved into execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger described in this registration statement.


On September 28, 2006, GPRE and GLC managers held an initial meeting to discuss grain origination and feedstock procurement.  The meeting was at the GLC offices in Everly, Iowa. In attendance were GLC General Manager Kevin Hartkemeyer, GLC Grain Manager John Rogers and former GPRE General manager Allen Sievertsen. The discussions resulted in the identification of several conclusions related to GPRE’s corn feedstock requirement. GLC recognized that ethanol added value to corn and, as a result, the development of GPRE’s Superior ethanol plant was beneficial to GLC’s producer members. GLC recognized that GPRE would become the largest local corn buyer. Both GPRE and GLC acknowledged the risks and benefits of becoming mutually dependent through a long-term grain origination agreement.



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A second meeting between GPRE and GLC representatives was held on February 6, 2007, in Everly, Iowa.  Kevin Hartkemeyer and John Rogers represented GLC. Chief Operating Officer Wayne Hoovestol (who was subsequently named Chief Executive Officer on February 27, 2007), Executive Vice President and Director Brian Peterson, and Director David Hart represented GPRE. At the second meeting, there were discussions about the difficulty in addressing each party’s concerns over commercial terms necessary in a long-term grain origination agreement. However, the parties concluded that they would continue dialogue toward a mutually beneficial arrangement.


On March 13, 2007, the parties met in Denison, Iowa. GLC representatives included Kevin Hartkemeyer, John Rogers, GLC President Kevin Adolf and GLC Secretary Bryan Bailey. GPRE representatives included Wayne Hoovestol, Brian Peterson, David Hart and Commodities Manager Todd Calfee. The parties discussed trends and changes in the grain industry created by growth in ethanol production. GPRE and GLC representatives talked about the value and importance of vertical integration to their businesses. The parties examined various ways of working together, including the possibility of acquisition, merger or forming a joint venture. There was a consensus that common ownership would mitigate potential disputes over price and other commercial terms, improve access to feedstock supplies for GPRE’s ethanol plant, and provide GLC members with an opportunity to merchandise grain. Also, the parties recognized the potential synergies in the creation of combined petroleum, fertilizer, seed, distillers grains and feed businesses.


On April 12, 2007, GPRE representatives Wayne Hoovestol and Brian Peterson met in Everly, IA, with GLC representatives Kevin Hartkemeyer and John Rogers. Wayne Hoovestol inquired about what steps needed to be taken in order to present a merger proposal. The group discussed the structural and legal issues involved in merging a cooperative association. Kevin Hartkemeyer stated that he would ask the GLC board of directors if they would entertain such a proposal from GPRE.   


At the following meeting of the GLC board of directors on April 18, 2007, Kevin Hartkemeyer and John Rogers discussed their previous discussions with GPRE. Kevin Hartkemeyer asked if the GLC board would entertain a proposal from GPRE. The GLC board of directors agreed to entertain a proposal from GPRE. Kevin Hartkemeyer was directed to continue dialogue with GPRE.


On April 24, 2007, Kevin Hartkemeyer and Wayne Hoovestol met in Everly, Iowa, to discuss options. They agreed that a merger would be beneficial to both GLC and GPRE. They discussed operations, management and personnel. In addition, they discussed the financial consideration that would be needed in order to make the merger proposal successful. Kevin Hartkemeyer stated that that the issue of merger needed the approval of the GLC board of directors and subsequently the GLC members. Shortly thereafter, GPRE was scheduled to address the GLC board of directors at a special meeting on June 12, 2007.


In preparation for the special meeting, GLC and GPRE representatives met on June 4, 2007, in Omaha, Nebraska. Kevin Hartkemeyer and John Rogers represented GLC. Wayne Hoovestol, Brian Peterson and David Hart represented GPRE. The participants discussed the specific terms of a merger proposal. The participants also talked about anticipated questions and issues that might be raised by the GLC board of directors.  


The special meeting of the GLC board of directors was held in Okoboji, IA, on June 12, 2007. A quorum of the members of the GLC board of directors was present. In addition, GLC was represented by attorney Jim Long, of Beving, Swanson and Forrest PC, Des Moines, Iowa, and independent auditor Dennis Gardiner of Gardiner Thomsen PC, Des Moines, Iowa. Wayne Hoovestol, Brian Peterson and David Hart attended on behalf of GPRE. Wayne Hoovestol made a presentation and presented a formal offer to the GLC board of directors.   


On June 26, 2007, Wayne Hoovestol sent the GPRE board of directors a draft of a non-binding letter of intent, which Mr. Hoovestol was planning to present to the GLC board of directors at their meeting on June 27, 2007, outlining the parameters of a proposed merger.  


On June 27, 2007, GPRE representatives attended a meeting of the GLC board of directors in Okoboji, Iowa. In addition to the GLC board, Kevin Hartkemeyer and Jim Long were in attendance. GPRE was represented by Wayne Hoovestol, Brian Peterson, David Hart and Chief Financial Officer Jerry Peters. The purpose of this meeting was to allow GPRE the opportunity to formally present the non-binding letter of intent, and address any questions and concerns related to the letter of intent and parameters of a proposed merger. There were discussions about valuation and organizational structure. After excusing GPRE representatives from the meeting, the GLC board discussed the proposed merger and concluded that a merger with GPRE was in the best interest of GLC members.


On June 28, 2007, Kevin Adolf sent a letter of response to Wayne Hoovestol indicating the GLC board approved the letter of intent subject to certain modifications. The letter of intent was modified in accordance with the request of the GLC board and executed by the parties on June 29, 2007.



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Following the execution of the letter of intent on June 29, 2007, through legal counsel, GPRE and GLC engaged in merger negotiations that resulted in the Agreement and Plan of Merger that was adopted by the GLC board of directors on August 13, 2007. The merger agreement set forth all terms and conditions for the transaction, as well as structural and organizational detail about the resulting combined firm. The merger agreement was executed on August 15, 2007.


Since the execution of the merger agreement, GPRE and GLC management have met on several occasions, principally to coordinate activities necessary to secure a vote of the members related to the merger. On November 28, 2007, Mr. Hoovestol met with the GLC board. Members of the GLC board expressed various concerns with Mr. Hoovestol related to the timing of filing the registration statement and the recent decline in GPRE’s stock price.


On December 24, 2007, GPRE and GLC entered into Addendum #2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger.   


GPRE’s Reasons for the Combination


GPRE and GLC are proposing the combination because they believe the resulting combined organization will be a stronger, more competitive company capable of achieving greater financial strength, operational efficiencies, earning power, access to capital, and growth than either company would be capable of separately. GPRE and GLC believe that the combination may result in a number of benefits, including:


·

the opportunity for each company’s shareholders to participate in the potential growth of the combined organization after the combination;

·

the synergies that could be created in combining the grain handling and marketing strengths of GLC and the grain procurement requirements of GPRE;

·

long-term opportunities for GPRE and GLC’s members to jointly develop innovations and efficiencies in the production of grain feedstocks for ethanol production; and

·

reduced working capital requirements necessary to secure each company’s respective commodity derivative transactions utilized to manage price risks.


GPRE’s board approved this merger as it provides a vehicle for vertical integration. GPRE believes that GLC’s business relationships, workforce and grain-receiving locations are an excellent fit with GPRE’s need for significant quantities of corn for its ethanol production. Within 50 miles of the Superior ethanol plant, GLC has seven elevators with four mainline rail facilities and storage capacity of approximately 14.5 million bushel. GLC’s other operations effectively serve their customers and GPRE plans to continue those services in the future. Additionally, GLC members receiving GPRE stock will add a new group of stakeholders to GPRE with a long-term vested interest in its success.  


GLC’s Reasons for the Combination


GLC’s board is very concerned about the affect the expansion of the ethanol industry will have on its corn volumes if GLC continues as an independent cooperative. Because of its significant capital investment in grain assets, GLC’s financial success rests heavily on obtaining favorable gross margins from marketing 18 to 23 million bushels of corn each year. Expansion of the ethanol industry threatens both the average gross margin per bushel realized and the volume of corn marketed. A substantial reduction in either or both of these factors would adversely affect GLC’s continued operations. As a result, GLC’s board believes this is the right time to consider a merger with a larger organization.  


GLC members as a group will receive $12.5 million in cash and 551,065 shares of GPRE common stock, except that fractional shares of GPRE stock will be converted into cash (this cash will be in addition to the $12.5 million). After this merger becomes effective, GLC members will own approximately 7.1% of GPRE stock. GPRE’s shares are listed for trading under the stock symbol “GPRE” on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the American Stock Exchange. GPRE anticipates that this listing will continue after this merger is completed.  


GLC’s board is recommending this merger with GPRE because the board believes that it would not be possible to obtain more favorable terms from any other merger partner, especially when the opportunity to market GPRE stock received in the transaction on a public stock exchange is taken into consideration. Because GPRE is a publicly-traded company, federal securities laws required the parties to conduct their negotiations on a confidential basis. GLC’s board determined that exclusive, confidential negotiations with GPRE would provide greater value to GLC’s members than seeking competitive bids from other potential merger partners.




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Opinions of Financial Advisors


Neither GPRE nor GLC have retained the assistance of financial advisors to provide opinions with respect to the fairness of the combination.


Accounting Treatment


GPRE will account for the combination under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total estimated purchase price is allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets of an acquired entity based on their estimated fair values as of the completion of the transaction. A final determination of these fair values may include management’s consideration of a valuation prepared by an independent valuation specialist.


Tax Consequences of this Merger Transaction


The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to GLC members. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable current and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, published rulings, court decisions and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date of this registration statement, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This summary does not purport to deal with all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to GLC members, some of whom may be subject to special rules. This summary assumes that a member holds GLC stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The tax consequences of the merger to GLC members will vary depending upon each member’s individual circumstances and the U.S. federal tax principles applicable thereto. No advance rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in the registration statement. In addition, other than a general summary of certain Iowa tax consequences, the discussion does not address any tax considerations under state, local or non-U.S. laws or U.S. federal laws that may apply to you other than those pertaining to the U.S. federal income tax.  In view of the foregoing, each GLC member should consult his own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of the merger, with specific reference to such member’s own particular tax situation and recent changes in applicable law.  


In connection with the completion of the merger, GLC will receive an opinion of tax counsel that the merger will have the U.S. federal income tax consequences summarized below. An opinion of counsel merely represents counsel’s best judgment with respect to the probable outcome on the merits should the matter be litigated, and it is not binding on the IRS or any court. The IRS may challenge the conclusions reached in this opinion. Also, in reviewing this discussion of the tax consequences you should note that certain conclusions reached are not free from doubt. In those circumstances, GLC has expressed the more likely than not outcome despite uncertainties. We suggest you discuss the tax consequences described in this section with your own tax advisor.


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Merger


The merger of a wholly - owned subsidiary of GPRE into GLC will be treated as a taxable sale by the GLC members of their GLC stock. A Large Shareholder who receives cash and GPRE stock in exchange for his GLC stock in the merger will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of the cash and the aggregate fair market value on the date of Closing of the GPRE stock received and (ii) the member’s aggregate basis in the GLC stock. A Small Shareholder who receives only cash in exchange for his GLC stock in the merger will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the cash received and the member’s basis in the GLC stock.  


A member’s basis in his GLC stock depends on how the member acquired the stock. To the extent that a member was required to include the GLC stock in income when it was received as a patronage refund from GLC (such as a patronage refund for selling grain to GLC) the member has a tax basis equal to the par value of his GLC stock. To the extent that a member was not required to include the GLC stock in income when it was received as a patronage refund from GLC (such as a patronage refund for buying LP gas to heat a home) the member has a tax basis of zero in his GLC stock. GLC stock purchased for cash has a basis equal to the cash paid.  


A member’s capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a member’s holding period for the GLC stock exchanged in the merger is more than one year as of the Closing. Long-term capital gains of individual taxpayers are generally subject to federal taxation at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital gains of corporate taxpayers are generally taxable at the regular rates applicable to corporations. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A Large Shareholder’s basis in the GPRE stock will be the fair market value of the GPRE stock on the date of the Closing and the member’s holding period for such stock will begin on the day following the date of the Closing.


Large Shareholders – Example:  The par value of John’s GLC stock is $10,000. John is an agricultural producer who was required to pay income tax on all of the GLC stock received as patronage refunds from GLC. As a result, he has a



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tax basis of $10,000 in his GLC stock. All of his GLC stock was issued to him more than a year prior to the Closing. Shortly after the Closing, John will receive $10,203.49 in cash and 472 shares of GPRE stock. Assuming for purposes of this example that GPRE stock trades at $13.61 per share on the Closing date, the value of the 472 shares that John will receive is $6,423.92. Thus, John will receive total consideration of $16,627.41 (i.e., cash of $10,203.49 plus stock with a value of $6,423.92). John will have a long-term capital gain of $6,627.41 ($16,627.41 less basis of $10,000).


Small Shareholders – Example:  The par value of all of George’s GLC stock is $500. Shortly after the Closing, George will receive $831.38 in cash. George is an agricultural producer who was required to pay income tax on all of the GLC stock received as patronage refunds from GLC. As a result, he has a tax basis of $500 in his GLC stock. All of his GLC stock was issued to him more than a year prior to the Closing. George will have a long-term capital gain of $331.38 ($831.38 less basis of $500).  


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Transfer to the Escrow Account


The transfer by GLC of its investments in regional cooperatives to the Escrow Account more likely than not will be treated as a dividend distribution to the members. A GLC member will recognize ordinary income equal to the member’s proportionate share of the Appraised Value of the investments in the regional cooperatives. A member’s proportionate share will equal the par value of the member’s GLC stock divided by the par value of all outstanding GLC stock. Such income will generally constitute qualified dividend income that is taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. A member will then be treated as the owner of his proportionate share of the investments in the regional cooperatives held in the Escrow Account. A member’s basis in his share of such investments will be the member’s proportionate share of the Appraised Value.  


U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Escrow Account Income and Distributions


A GLC member will recognize income each year on his proportionate share of the net income earned on the assets in the Escrow Account. The character of such income will be determined as if such income was realized by the member directly from the source making the payment to the Escrow Agent. Amounts received by the Escrow Agent in redemption of an investment in a regional coop will result in capital gain or loss to a member equal to the difference, if any, between the member’s proportionate share of the redemption proceeds and the member’s basis in his proportionate share of the investment in the regional coop. Amounts paid by the Escrow Agent to GPRE to satisfy indemnification claims will result in a capital loss to the member equal to the member’s proportionate share of the payment. Cash distributions paid by the Escrow Agent to a member will be treated as a return of basis and generally a member will not recognize any income on the receipt of such distributions. A member may recognize gain or loss on the final cash distribution equal to the difference between the cash received and the member’s basis, as adjusted.


Iowa Income Tax Consequences


Iowa generally incorporates the U.S. federal treatment of capital gains and losses and dividends in its determination of taxable income. Iowa does not, however, have a separate tax rate on capital gains or qualified dividends, and such income is generally taxable at the regular rates. Iowa residents are generally subject to income tax on their entire taxable income, while nonresidents are taxed only on income derived from Iowa sources. Interest and dividends will be treated as income from sources within Iowa to the extent they are derived from a trade or business carried on within Iowa by the nonresident. Capital gain or loss recognized by a nonresident on the sale of GLC stock will be taxable in Iowa if the stock was used by the nonresident as an integral part of some business activity in Iowa in the year in which the sale takes place. The determination of whether the income resulting from the merger is from Iowa sources will depend on each member’s individual circumstances. Each member should consult his own tax advisor regarding the Iowa tax consequences.


Backup Withholding


Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) may apply to payments made in connection with the merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a member who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that he is not subject to backup withholding on the IRS Form W-9 or substitute form, or is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the member’s U.S. federal tax liability provided that the required information is provided to the IRS.


Dissenters’ Rights


Iowa law gives special rights to GLC voting members who dissent to this merger. Within 60 days after the merger, the surviving company must pay to a dissenter the amount originally paid in cash to GLC when the dissenter applied for membership (which was $100 or less). The surviving company must also pay the fair value of the dissenter’s remaining stock holdings in ten equal annual payments starting on the 6th anniversary of the merger.  




41



To perfect dissenters’ rights, a GLC voting member must file a written objection to the merger prior to the vote tabulation, vote NO in the merger, make a demand for payment within 20 days after the votes are tabulated, and refrain from doing business with the surviving company for the next 15 years.  The ballots of members who file written objections prior to the vote tabulation will be opened to confirm that they voted no.  No one will know how other members vote.


Under 2007 Iowa Code Section 499.66(2) the fair value of a dissenting member’s interest in GLC cannot exceed the issue price of the member’s GLC stock (which is the par value of that stock). The Agreement and Plan of Merger calls for each GLC member to receive cash in excess of the par value of the member’s GLC stock. This means that each member will receive a cash distribution under the Agreement and Plan of Merger that is greater than the cash the member would receive as a dissenter under Iowa law. The Agreement and Plan of Merger calls for each GLC member to receive this cash shortly after the Closing. This means that each member will receive the cash distribution under the Agreement and Plan of Merger earlier than the member would receive most of the cash payments as a dissenter under Iowa law.


Federal Securities Laws Consequences


This registration statement does not cover any resales of the GPRE common stock received in the combination, and no person is authorized to make any use of this registration statement in connection with any such resale.


All shares of GPRE common stock received by GLC members in the combination should be freely transferable, except that if a GLC member is deemed to be an “affiliate” of GLC under the Securities Act at the time of the special member meeting, the GLC member may resell those shares only in transactions permitted by Rule 145 under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. Persons who may be affiliates of GLC under the Securities Act generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, GLC, and generally would not include members who are not officers, directors or principal members of GLC.


Interests of GPRE’s Directors and Executive Officers


Upon completion of the combination and the issuance of GPRE common stock in the combination, based on beneficial ownership computations as of December 21, 2007, the directors and officers of GPRE will collectively beneficially own approximately 29.2% of the outstanding stock of GPRE. GPRE has entered into indemnity agreements, or the Indemnity Agreements, with each of GPRE’s executive officers and directors pursuant to which GPRE has agreed to indemnify the officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law for any event or occurrence related to the service of the indemnitee for GPRE as an officer or director that takes place prior to or after the execution of the Indemnity Agreement. The Indemnity Agreements obligate GPRE to reimburse or advance expenses relating to any proceeding arising out of an indemnifiable event. Under the Indemnity Agreements, GPRE’s officers and directors are presumed to have met the relevant standards of conduct required by Iowa law for indemnification. Should the Indemnity Agreements be held to be unenforceable, indemnification of these officers and directors may be provided by GPRE in certain cases at its discretion.


As a result of the foregoing, the directors and officers of GPRE may be more likely to vote to approve the combination than GPRE shareholders generally.


Interests of GLC’s Directors and Executive Officers


None of GLC’s directors will become directors of GPRE. The directors of GLC are all GLC members, and as such will receive GPRE stock in this merger. After receiving this GPRE stock, the GLC directors will collectively beneficially own 0.1% of the outstanding stock of GPRE.


The merger agreement is subject to the surviving company entering into employment contracts with GLC’s general manager and the head of its grain department on terms that are mutually acceptable to the parties. The terms of these employment contracts are not part of the merger agreement.




42



THE MERGER AGREEMENT


The following summary describes certain material provisions of the merger agreement. The full text of the merger agreement is attached as Appendix A to this registration statement and is incorporated herein by reference. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you, and you are encouraged to read carefully the entire merger agreement. The following description is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the merger agreement.


The merger agreement has been included to provide you with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about GPRE or GLC. Such information can be found elsewhere in this document and in the other public filings GPRE makes with the SEC, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov.


The representations and warranties described below and included in the merger agreement were made by each of GPRE and GLC to the other. These representations and warranties were made as of specific dates and may be subject to important qualifications, limitations and supplemental information in disclosure schedules agreed to by GPRE and GLC in connection with negotiating the terms of the merger agreement. In addition, the representations and warranties may have been included in the merger agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between GPRE and GLC rather than to establish matters as facts. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts, since they are modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules.


Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed since the date of the merger agreement.


Structure of the Combination


At closing, GPRE’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. will merge with and into GLC. Upon completion of the merger, GLC will be the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE.


Effective Time of the Combination


The completion of the combination will occur no later than the second business day after the conditions set forth in the merger agreement are satisfied or waived, or at such time, date and location as the parties agree in writing. It is anticipated that the effective time will occur as soon as practicable following the meeting of GLC members. GPRE and GLC are working to complete the combination as soon as possible. GPRE and GLC expect to complete the combination promptly after the GLC member meeting.


Officers and Directors


Upon completion of the combination, the board of directors of GPRE is expected to consist of its current members. The executive management team of the combined organization is expected to be composed of members of GPRE’s management prior to the combination. It is anticipated that substantially all employees of GLC will be retained by GLC immediately after the combination.


Conversion of GLC Common and Preferred Stock


Under the terms of the merger agreement, it is anticipated that a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE, Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc., will merge with and into GLC with GLC surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPRE. Upon completion of the merger, each outstanding GLC share will be converted, pursuant to the terms set forth in the merger agreement, into the right to receive cash and shares as follows.


(1)  Small Shareholders:


·

Cash consideration will be distributed to each Small Shareholder in an amount equal to the par value of the GLC shares owned by that Small Shareholder multiplied by 1.6627567.


(2)  Large Shareholders:


·

  551,065 shares of GPRE Common Stock will be distributed to Large Shareholders in proportion to the par value of the GLC shares owned by each of the Large Shareholders (except that cash will be distributed in lieu of fractional shares using a conversion ratio of $13.61 for a whole share of GPRE stock), and


·

the cash remaining after the cash distributions to Small Shareholders will be distributed to the Large Shareholders in proportion to the par value of the GLC shares owned by each of the Large Shareholders.



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The term “Small Shareholder” means a member who owns GLC shares with an aggregate par value of less then $1,000, and the term “Large Shareholder” means a member who owns GLC shares with an aggregate par value of $1,000 or more.


Fractional Shares


No fractional shares of GPRE common stock will be issued in the combination. Fractional shares of GPRE stock will be converted into cash (this will be in addition to the $12.5 million) at $13.61 per share.


Exchange Procedures


Following the effective time of the combination, the exchange agent, selected by GPRE, will mail to each holder of GLC stock a letter of transmittal and instructions discussing details of the exchange. Each GLC member will use the letter of transmittal to exchange their GLC stock for cash and shares of GPRE common stock which the member is entitled to receive in connection with the combination.


After the effective time of the combination and until so surrendered, outstanding rights in GLC stock will be deemed to have the right to receive GPRE common stock, and the right to receive an amount of cash in lieu of the issuance of any factional shares to which the record holders of GLC stock are entitled to receive in connection with the combination. No interest will be payable on cash distributed to GLC members, including the cash in lieu of fractional shares of GPRE common stock.


Representations and Warranties


GLC made a number of representations and warranties to GPRE in the merger agreement regarding aspects of its business, financial condition and structure, as well as other facts pertinent to the merger, including representations and warranties relating to the following subject matters:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

cooperative organization, qualification to do business, good standing and requisite power of GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

absence of violations of the  organizational documents of GLC;

 

 

• 

GLC’s capital structure and the absence of restrictions or encumbrances with respect thereto;

 

 

 

 

• 

cooperative authorization to enter into the merger agreement and consummate the transactions under the merger agreement, and the enforceability of the merger agreement;

 

 

 

 

• 

the vote of members required to complete the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

governmental and regulatory approvals and other consents required to complete the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

the effect of entering into and carrying out the obligations of the merger agreement on material contracts;

 

 

 

 

• 

absence of any conflict with or violation of the charter and bylaws of GLC, or any applicable legal requirements resulting from the execution of the merger agreement or the completion of the merger;

 

 

 

 


the inapplicability of state takeover statutes to the merger;


the inapplicability of appraisal rights;

 

• 

financial statements;

 

 

 

 

• 

the absence of certain changes and events, including any material adverse effect on GLC, since August 31, 2006;

 

 

 

 

• 

the absence of certain undisclosed liabilities and obligations;

 

 

 

 

• 

taxes;

 

 

 

 

• 

good and valid title to or valid leasehold interests in all personal properties and assets free and clear of all liens;

 

 

 



44






 

• 

good and valid title to all real property;

 

 

 

 

• 

intellectual property;

 

 

 

 

• 

compliance with applicable legal requirements;

 

 

 

 

• 

possession of and compliance with all permits required for the operation of business;

 

 

 

 

• 

litigation;

 

 

 

 

• 

employee benefit plans and labor relations;

 

 

 

 

• 

personnel;

 

 

 

 

• 

environmental matters;

 

 

 

 

• 

agreements, contracts and commitments;

 

 

 

 

• 

absence of breaches of contracts;

 

 

 

 

• 

accuracy of information supplied by GLC in this proxy statement/prospectus and the related registration statement to be filed by GPRE with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

 

 

 

• 

insurance;

 

 

 

 

• 

transactions between GLC and its affiliates;

 

 

 

 

• 

approval by its board of directors;

 

 

 

 

• 

payment, if any, required to be made to brokers and agents on account of the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

the fairness of the transaction from a financial viewpoint; and

 

 

 

 

 

• 

the full disclosure by GLC of all material facts necessary to make the statements in the merger agreement, financial statements of GLC and other documents referred to in the merger agreement not misleading.

 


GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. each made a number of representations and warranties to GLC in the merger agreement, including representations and warranties relating to the following subject matters:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

corporate organization, qualification to do business, good standing and corporate power of GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc.;

 

 

 

 

• 

corporate authorization to enter into the merger agreement and consummate the transactions under the merger agreement, and the enforceability of the merger agreement;

 

 

 

 

• 

absence of any conflict with or violation of the charter and bylaws of GPRE and the organizational documents of Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. or any applicable legal requirements resulting from the execution of the merger agreement and the completion of the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

the effect of entering into and carrying out the obligations of the merger agreement on material contracts;

 

 

 

 

• 

governmental and regulatory approvals required to complete the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

GPRE’s capital structure;

 

 

 

 

• 

accuracy of information supplied by GPRE in this proxy statement/prospectus and the related registration statement;

 

 

 

 

• 

GPRE’s SEC filings and financial statements; and



45




 

 

 

 

• 

absence of facts pertaining to GPRE known to GPRE that would reasonably be expected to adversely effect the likelihood of securing the requisite governmental and regulatory approvals required for the completion of the merger.


Conduct of Business Prior to the Completion of the Combination


Under the merger agreement, GLC has agreed that, until the earlier of the completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement, or unless GPRE consents in writing, it will carry on its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in substantially the same manner as previously conducted and in compliance with all applicable legal requirements, and will pay its debts and taxes when due and pay or perform other material obligations when due.


 

Under the merger agreement, GLC has also agreed that, until the earlier of the completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement, or unless GPRE consents in writing, it will conduct its business in compliance with a number of specific restrictions, including supplying to GPRE on a weekly basis information on GLC grain inventory, and will not, subject to specified exceptions, do any of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization (other than the merger);

 

 

 

 

• 

transfer or license to any person or entity or otherwise extend, amend or modify in any material respect any rights to GLC intellectual property;

 

 

 

 

• 

declare, set aside, or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity interests or property) in respect of any equity securities or similar interests in GLC or split, combine or reclassify any equity securities or similar interests or issue or authorize the issuance of any other interests in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any equity securities or similar interests;

 

 

 

 

• 

purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any equity securities or similar interests in GLC, or any instrument or security that consists of a right to acquire such securities or interests;

 

 

 

 

 

• 

issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber any equity securities or similar interests in GLC or any interests convertible into equity securities or similar interests, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any equity securities or similar interests or any interests convertible into equity securities or similar interests or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such equity securities, interests or convertible interests;

 

 

 

 

• 

split, combine or reclassify any class of shares, subject to certain voting reclassifications permitted per GLC’s bylaws;

 

 

 

 

• 

cause, permit or propose any amendments to its organizational documents;

 

 

 

 

• 

acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity interest in or a portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof; or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets which are significant, individually or in the aggregate, to the business of GLC or enter into any joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances;

 

 

 

 

• 

except in the ordinary course of business, sell, transfer, lease, license, mortgage, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any properties or assets;

 

 

 

 

• 

incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt interests or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt interests of GLC, enter into any other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition, incur or modify any other material liability or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing other than pursuant to GLC’s existing credit facilities;



46




 

 

 

 

• 

adopt or pay, grant, issue, accelerate or accrue salary or other payments or benefits pursuant to any pension, profit-sharing, bonus, compensation, incentive, deferred compensation, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right, group insurance, severance pay, retirement or other employee benefit plan, agreement or arrangement, employment or consulting agreement with or for the benefit of any GLC director, officer, employee, agent or consultant, whether past or present, or amend in any material respect any such existing plan, agreement or arrangement in a manner inconsistent with the foregoing;

 

 

 

 

• 

modify, amend, waive or terminate any contract or agreement to which GLC is a party, including any joint venture agreement, or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims thereunder;

 

 

 

 

• 

pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment of accounts payable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or of claims, liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

enter into any contract or agreement which may not be cancelled without penalty by GLC upon notice of thirty (30) days or less or which provides for payments by or to GLC in an amount in excess of $10,000 over the term of the agreement or which involve any exclusive terms of any kind;

 

 

 

 

• 

permit any insurance policy naming it as a beneficiary or a loss payee to be cancelled or terminated without notice to GPRE;

 

 

 

 

• 

revalue any of its assets or, except as required by GAAP, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;

 

 

 

 

• 

make or change any tax election, change an annual accounting period, adopt or change any accounting method, file any amended tax return, enter into any closing agreement, settle or consent to any tax claim, surrender any right to claim a refund of taxes, or consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any tax claim;

 

 

 

 

• 

fail to make in a timely manner any filings with the SEC required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

 

 

 

 

• 

waive any “standstill” or similar restrictions contained in any confidentiality or other agreements to which it is a party;

 

 

 

 

• 

take any action that would or is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions to the merger set forth in the merger agreement not being satisfied, or would make any representation or warranty of GLC contained merger agreement inaccurate in any material respect at, or as of any time prior to, the completion of the merger, or that would materially impair the ability of GLC to consummate the merger in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement or materially delay such consummation;

 

 

 

 

• 

incur any fees or expenses in connection with any financing transaction; or

 

 

 

 

• 

enter into any written agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement to do any of the foregoing, or authorize, recommend, propose, in writing or otherwise or announce an intention to do any of the foregoing.

 


No Solicitation; Superior Proposals: Notification of Unsolicited Acquisition Proposals

 


Under the terms of the merger agreement, subject to certain exceptions described below, GLC has agreed that it will not, and each of its officers and directors will not, directly or indirectly:


 

 

• 

solicit, initiate, encourage, knowingly facilitate or induce any inquiry with respect to, or the making, submission or announcement of, any acquisition proposal;

 

 

 

 

• 

participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any nonpublic information with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any acquisition proposal;

 

 

 



47




 

  

 

 

• 

engage in discussions with any person with respect to any acquisition proposal, except as to the existence of these provisions;

 

 

 

 

• 

approve, endorse or recommend any acquisition proposal;

 

 

 

 

• 

enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract, agreement or commitment contemplating or otherwise relating to any acquisition proposal; or

 

 

 

 

• 

grant any waiver or release under any standstill or similar agreement with respect to any equity interests of GLC.

 


In addition, GLC agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause its employees, agents and representatives (including any retained investment banker, attorney or accountant) not to do any of the foregoing.  


An acquisition proposal is any offer or proposal, relating to any transaction or series of related transactions involving:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

any purchase from such party or acquisition by any person or group of more than a 10% interest in the total outstanding voting interests of GLC or any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person or group beneficially owning 10% or more of the total outstanding voting interests of GLC or any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar transaction involving GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

any sale, lease (other than in the ordinary course of business), exchange, transfer, license (other than in the ordinary course of business), acquisition or disposition of more than 10% of the assets of GLC; or

 

 

 

 

• 

any liquidation or dissolution of GLC (provided, however, the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, shall not be deemed an acquisition proposal in any case).

  


Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in the merger agreement with respect to the type of acquisition proposals described above, prior to the meeting of GLC’s members contemplated by this proxy statement/prospectus and subject to GLC first entering into a confidentiality agreement, the board of directors of GLC is permitted to engage in discussions or negotiations with, or provide any nonpublic information or data to (provided that such information or data also is simultaneously given to GPRE to the extent not previously given to GPRE), any person in response to an unsolicited bona fide written proposal for an acquisition proposal by such person which the board of directors of GLC concludes in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel) constitutes or is reasonably likely to constitute a superior proposal, if and only to the extent that the board of directors of GLC reasonably determines in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law; provided, that:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

GLC and the board of directors shall have given GPRE (orally and in writing) at least 48 hours prior notice of its intent to do so before taking any such action;

 

 

 

 

• 

GLC and the board of directors shall keep GPRE informed of the status and terms of any such proposals, offers, discussions or negotiations on a current basis; and

 

 

 

 

• 

the board of directors shall not recommend any superior proposal to the members of GLC except as permitted under the merger agreement, and only after GLC shall first have complied with the procedures set forth in such section.

 


A superior proposal is a bona fide, unsolicited written proposal for an acquisition proposal that did not arise from a breach of the provisions of the merger agreement described above (substituting for this purpose 80% for each reference to 10% in the above definition of acquisition proposal) that the board of directors concludes in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and its outside legal counsel, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the person making the proposal as permitted under applicable law is:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

more favorable to GLC’s members from a financial point of view, than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and

 

 

 

 

• 

fully financed and reasonably likely to receive all required governmental approvals on a timely basis and otherwise reasonably capable of being completed on the terms proposed.

 




48



Nothing in the provisions of the merger agreement described above will prohibit the board of directors of GLC from taking and disclosing to GLC’s members, subject to GPRE’s rights to terminate the merger agreement as described below, a position with respect to an acquisition proposal to the extent required under applicable law.
 

As promptly as practicable after receipt of any acquisition proposal or any request for nonpublic information or inquiry which it reasonably believes would lead to an acquisition proposal or for a waiver or release under any “standstill” or similar agreement, GLC is obligated to provide GPRE with oral and written notice of the material terms and conditions of such acquisition proposal, request or inquiry, and the identity of the person or group making any such acquisition proposal, request or inquiry and a copy of all written materials provided in connection with such acquisition proposal, request or inquiry. GLC is also obligated to provide GPRE as promptly as practicable oral and written notice setting forth all such information as is reasonably necessary to keep GPRE informed in all material respects of the status and details (including material amendments or proposed material amendments) of any such acquisition proposal, request or inquiry.


Superior Proposals


Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the adoption of the merger agreement by its voting members, GLC may furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions with, any person or entity in response to a superior proposal (as described above) that is submitted to GLC by such person or entity (and not withdrawn) if (1) neither GLC nor any representative shall have breached or taken any action inconsistent with any of the provisions set forth above, (2) the board of directors of GLC concludes in good faith, after having taken into account the advice of its outside legal counsel, that such action is required in order for the board of directors of GLC to comply with its fiduciary obligations to GLC’s members under applicable law, (3)  prior to furnishing any such information to, or entering into discussions with, such person or entity, GLC gives GPRE written notice of the identity of such person or entity and of GLC’s intention to furnish information to, or enter into discussions with, such person or entity, and GLC receives from such person or entity an executed confidentiality agreement containing customary limitations on the use and disclosure of all nonpublic written and oral information.


Notification of Unsolicited Acquisition Proposals


Prior to closing, GLC will keep GPRE informed of any acquisition proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could lead to an acquisition proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could lead to an acquisition proposal or any request for nonpublic information. GLC will keep GPRE fully informed with respect to the status of any such acquisition proposal or inquiry.


GLC’s Board of Directors Recommendation and Holding a Meeting of Members

 


GLC agreed to call, hold and convene a meeting of its members as promptly as practicable after the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit from its members absentee written ballots in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, and to take all other action necessary or advisable to secure the vote of its members required by Iowa Code Chapter 499 and its organizational documents to obtain such approvals. GLC’s board of directors agreed to recommend the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger to its members and not to withdraw, amend or modify or propose or resolve to withdraw, amend or modify in a manner adverse to GPRE this recommendation. Notwithstanding the GLC’s board of directors’ obligations described in this paragraph, in connection with a third party acquisition proposal deemed by the board of directors to be a superior proposal, the board of directors of GLC may withdraw, modify or change its recommendation in favor of the merger and recommend such superior proposal, provided, that:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

the board of directors may not withdraw, modify or change its recommendation or recommend such superior proposal until it has given GPRE at least five business days’ notice of its intention to take such action, and after giving GPRE notice of the latest material terms, conditions of the superior proposal, and then taken into account any amendment or modification to merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby proposed by GPRE in writing, it being understood that any revised superior proposal shall require a separate notice period, and

 

 

 

 

• 

if the board of directors of GLC gives notice pursuant to the foregoing within five business days of the date of the meeting of GLC’s members, GLC shall, subject to the requirements of applicable law, postpone the members’ meeting to a date and time to ensure that GPRE has five business days’ notice of any such proposed withdrawal, modification or change of recommendation prior to the members’ meeting.

 




49



Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the merger agreement, GLC’s obligation to call, give notice of, convene and hold the members’ meeting will not be limited or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission to it of any acquisition proposal, or by any change in the recommendation by the board of directors (or any committee thereof) of the merger agreement and the merger or the recommendation by the board of directors (or any committee thereof) of an acquisition proposal or superior proposal.


Confidentiality


Unless required by law or regulation, each party will hold all non-public information in confidence and will each grant the other’s representatives reasonable access to its records and personnel.  


Regulatory Filings; Antitrust Matters; Reasonable Efforts to Obtain Regulatory Approvals

 


Each of GPRE, GLC and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. agreed to coordinate and cooperate with one another and use all reasonable efforts to comply with, and refrain from actions that would impede compliance with, applicable laws, regulations and any other requirements of any governmental entity. GPRE, GLC and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. also agreed to make all filings and submissions required by any governmental entity in connection with the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 


Each of GPRE and GLC also agreed to cause all such documents that it is responsible for filing with any governmental entity to comply in all material respects with all applicable laws. GPRE, GLC and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. each agreed to promptly supply the others with any information which may be required in order to effectuate any filings or application pursuant the above paragraph.

 


In addition, each of GPRE, GLC and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. agreed to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including using all reasonable efforts to accomplish the following:


 

 

• 

the taking of all reasonable acts necessary to cause the conditions precedent set forth in the merger agreement to be satisfied;

 

 

 

 

• 

the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents, approvals, orders and authorizations from governmental entities and the making of all necessary registrations, declarations and filings (including registrations, declarations and filings with governmental entities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to avoid any suit, claim, action, investigation or proceeding by any governmental entity;

 

 

 

 

• 

the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties, including certain consents necessary to the completion of the merger; and

 

 

 

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

 


GPRE has agreed that all rights to indemnification for acts or omissions occurring prior to the completion of the merger existing immediately prior to the merger in favor of the current or former directors or officers of GLC as provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws shall survive the merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms for a period of six years following the completion of the merger.


Indemnification Obligations


GLC is obligated, for a period of three year from the effective time of the merger, to indemnify GPRE for certain breaches of its representations and warranties, confidentiality obligations, and other terms surviving the merger agreement up to $2 million, subject to a deductible of $250,000.  An escrow of the Regional Equity is to be established pursuant to the terms of an Escrow Agreement, as amended, which is attached as Appendix C, with the indemnification obligation being satisfied exclusively from this escrow arrangement. A committee comprised of the three current GLC officers will act as the representatives for GLC with respect to the administration of the Escrow Account. Bankers Trust N.A., Des Moines, Iowa, has been appointed the initial escrow agent thereunder.


GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. are obligated to indemnify GLC up to $250,000 for certain breaches of the merger agreement of terms surviving the merger agreement.




50



Conditions to the Completion of the Merger

 


The respective obligations of GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc., on one hand, and GLC, on the other, to complete the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, are subject to the satisfaction before the completion of the merger of the following conditions:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

the merger agreement has been approved and adopted, and the merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement have been approved, by the requisite vote of the members of GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

no governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has enacted or issued any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which (i) is in effect and (ii) has the effect of making the merger illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the merger;

 

 

 

 

• 

the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part has been declared effective by the SEC, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose, and no similar proceeding in respect of this prospectus/proxy statement, shall have been initiated or threatened in writing by the SEC; and

 

 

 

 

• 

any shares of GPRE’s common stock to be issued in connection with the merger shall have been authorized for listing on NASDAQ and AMEX, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

In addition, the obligation of GLC to consummate and effect the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

the representations and warranties of GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. set forth in the merger agreement (i) that are qualified as to materiality are true and correct both when made and at and as of the effective time of the merger, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), and (ii) that are not qualified as to materiality are true and correct both when made and at and as of the effective time, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) in all material respects;

 

 

 

 

• 

GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the merger agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the date the merger is to be completed; and

 

 

 

 

• 

no material adverse effect, as defined in the merger agreement, on GPRE has occurred since August 15, 2007.



The obligations of GPRE and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc. to consummate and effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:


 

 

 

 

 

• 

the representations and warranties of GLC set forth in the merger agreement (i) that are qualified as to materiality are true and correct both when made and at and as of the completion of the merger, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), and (ii) that are not qualified as to materiality are true and correct both when made and at and as of the completion of the merger, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) in all material respects;

 

 

 

 

• 

GLC has performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the merger agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the date the merger is to be completed;

 

 

 

 

• 

no material adverse effect, as defined below, on GLC has occurred since August 15, 2007;

 

 

 

 

• 

certain material consents, permits and approvals of governmental entities and other private third parties have been obtained with no adverse conditions attached and no expense imposed on GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

there is not pending any action or proceeding by any governmental entity or any action or proceeding by any other person before any court or governmental entity seeking, and no court, arbitrator or governmental entity has issued any judgment, order, decree or injunction, and there is not any statute, rule or regulation that is likely, directly or indirectly:

 

 

 

 

 

 



51






 

to make illegal, to delay or otherwise directly or indirectly to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or to obtain any damages or other remedy in connection with the merger or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement,

 

 

 

 

to restrain or prohibit GPRE’s (including its affiliates’) ownership or operation of all or any portion of the business or assets of the company surviving the merger or GLC, or to compel GPRE or any of its affiliates to dispose of or hold separate all or any portion of the business or assets of the company surviving the merger or GLC; or

 

 

 

 

to impose or confirm limitations on the ability of GPRE or any of its affiliates to effectively control the business or operations of the company surviving the merger or GLC,

 


provided, however, that GPRE and GLC shall use their reasonable best efforts to have any such judgment, order, decree or injunction vacated;

 

 

 

 

• 

GPRE has received the opinion of Beving, Swanson & Forrest, PC, addressed to GPRE and dated as of the date of completion of the merger, stating, among other things, that covers certain other matters as provided in the merger agreement;


Additional Conditions to the Obligations of GLC


The obligation of GLC to effect the combination shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the closing date of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by GLC:


The representations and warranties of GPRE set forth herein (i) that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct both when made and at and as of the Effective Time, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), and (ii) that are not qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct both when made and at and as of the Effective Time, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) in all material respects.


Agreement and Covenants. GPRE shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the merger agreement.


Certificate.  GLC shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time, signed by an authorized senior executive officer of GPRE, to the effect that the conditions set forth in and (b) have been satisfied.


Material Adverse Effect.  No material adverse effect on GPRE shall have occurred since the date of the merger agreement.


Termination of the Merger Agreement


The merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms at any time prior to the completion of the merger, whether before or after the requisite approval of the members of GLC:


 

 

 

 

• 

by mutual written consent duly authorized by the board of directors of GPRE and the board of directors of GLC;

 

 

 

 

• 

by either GLC or GPRE if the merger shall not have been consummated by March 31, 2008, or the “end date,” except that this right to terminate the merger agreement shall not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the merger to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a material breach of the merger agreement;

 

 

 

 

• 

by either GLC or GPRE if a governmental entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action (including the failure to have taken an action), in any case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger, which order, decree, ruling or other action is final and nonappealable;

 

 

 

 

• 

by either GLC or GPRE if the required approval of the members of GLC contemplated by the merger agreement shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at a meeting of GLC’s members duly convened therefor or at any adjournment thereof, except that such right to terminate the merger agreement shall not be available to GLC where the failure to obtain GLC member approval shall have been caused by the action or failure to act of GLC and such action or failure to act constitutes a material breach by GLC of the merger agreement;

 

 

 



52






 

• 

by GLC, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of GPRE set forth in the merger agreement, or if any representation or warranty of GPRE shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions to completion of the merger regarding GPRE’s representations and warranties or covenants would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue. However, if such inaccuracy in GPRE’s representations and warranties or breach by GPRE is curable by GPRE prior to the end date through the exercise of reasonable efforts, then GLC may not terminate the merger agreement for sixty (60) days following the receipt of written notice from GLC to GPRE of such breach, provided that GPRE continues to exercise all reasonable efforts to cure such breach through such sixty (60) day period. GLC may not terminate the merger agreement pursuant to the foregoing if it shall have materially breached the merger agreement or if such breach by GPRE is cured within such sixty (60) day period;

 

 

 

 

• 

by GPRE, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of GLC set forth in the merger agreement, or if any representation or warranty of GLC shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions to completion of the merger regarding GLC’s representations and warranties or covenants would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue. However, if such inaccuracy in GLC’s representations and warranties or breach by GLC is curable by GLC prior to the end date through the exercise of reasonable efforts, then GPRE may not terminate the merger agreement for sixty (60) days following the receipt of written notice from GPRE to GLC of such breach, provided that GLC continues to exercise all reasonable efforts to cure such breach through such sixty (60) day period. GPRE may not terminate the merger agreement pursuant to the foregoing if it shall have materially breached the merger agreement or if such breach by GLC is cured within such sixty (60) day period; or

 

 

 

 

• 

by GPRE, at any time prior to the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, by the required vote of the members of GLC, if any of the following occur: (i) GLC’s board of directors or any committee thereof shall for any reason have withdrawn or shall have amended or modified in a manner adverse to GPRE its recommendation in favor of, the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, (ii) GLC shall have failed to include in this proxy statement/prospectus the recommendation of its board of directors in favor of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, (iii) GLC’s board of directors fails to reaffirm (publicly, if so requested) its recommendation in favor of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, within five (5) calendar days after GPRE requests that such recommendation be reaffirmed, (iv) GLC’s board of directors or any committee thereof shall have approved or recommended any acquisition proposal or superior proposal or (v) a tender or exchange offer relating to the Shares shall have been commenced and GLC shall not have sent to its members, within ten (10) business days after such tender or exchange offer is first published, sent or given, a statement disclosing that GLC’s board of directors recommends rejection of such tender or exchange offer.

 


Payment of Termination Fee

 


Under the terms of the merger agreement, GLC has agreed to pay to GPRE a termination fee of $1 million if GPRE terminates the merger agreement because of the occurrence of an event with respect to GLC as described in the last bullet in the section entitled “— Termination of the Merger Agreement” above. The termination fee shall be paid within two (2) business days after such termination

 

 

In addition, GLC must pay the termination fee of $1 million to GPRE within two business days after the consummation of an acquisition of GLC if all of the following conditions are met:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

GLC’s members failed to approve the merger agreement;

 

 

 

 

• 

There has been public disclosure of an acquisition proposal by a third party with respect to GLC; and

 

 

 

 

• 

Either:

 

 

 

 

 

• 

within six (6) months following the termination of the merger agreement an acquisition of GLC is consummated or

 

 

 

 

• 

within six (6) months following termination of the merger agreement GLC enters into an agreement providing for an acquisition of GLC and an acquisition of GLC is consummated within twelve (12) months of the termination of the merger agreement.

 

 




53



Under the terms of the merger agreement, an acquisition of GLC, for purposes of these termination provisions, means any of the following transactions (other than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement): (i) a merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving GLC pursuant to which the members of GLC immediately preceding such transaction hold less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction or any direct or indirect parent thereof, (ii) a sale or other disposition by GLC of assets representing in excess of fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate fair market value of GLC’s business immediately prior to such sale, or (iii) the acquisition by any person or group (including by way of a tender offer or an exchange offer or issuance by GLC or such person or group), directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of shares representing in excess of fifty-one percent (51%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares.


Extension, Waiver and Amendment of the Merger Agreement

 


GPRE and GLC may amend the merger agreement by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of GPRE, GLC and Green Plains Grain Merger Sub, Inc.


 

Either GPRE or GLC may extend the other’s time for performance of any of the obligations or other acts under the merger agreement, waive any inaccuracies in the other’s representations and warranties, and waive compliance by the other with any of the agreements or conditions contained in the merger agreement.


Fees and Expenses


The merger agreement provides that regardless of whether the combination is completed, except as set forth below in the section entitled “Payment of Termination Fees,” GPRE and GLC will each pay their own expenses incurred in connection with the combination, except that GPRE and GLC will share equally all fees and expenses, other than attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred in relation to the printing and filing with the SEC of the registration statement of which this registration statement is a part, the registration statement and any amendments or supplements to either of them and the filing fees under any applicable antitrust law or regulation.


Amendment, Extension and Waiver


The merger agreement may be amended, at any time, by the parties, by action taken or authorized by their respective boards of directors, before or after adoption of the merger agreement by the members of GLC, provided that after any such adoption, no amendment can be made that requires further member approval without such approval having been obtained. The merger agreement may be not amended except by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of GLC and GPRE.


At any time prior to the effective time either GLC or GPRE, by action taken or authorized by their respective board of directors, may, to the extent legally allowed:


·

extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto;


·

waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such party contained in the merger agreement or in any document delivered pursuant thereto; and


·

waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained in the merger agreement.


Any agreement to any extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Delay in exercising any right under the merger agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right.

 



54



MANAGEMENT OF THE COMBINED ORGANIZATION AFTER THE COMBINATION


The merger agreement does not include any provisions affecting the composition of the GPRE board of directors. As a result, upon completion of the combination, the current board of directors of GPRE will control the combined organization. Certain information regarding GPRE’s board of directors and executive officers as of December 21, 2007 is as follows:



Name


Age


Position

With the Company Since

Robert D. Vavra (1)

57

Chairman of the Board

2004

Wayne B. Hoovestol

49

Chief Executive Officer / Director

2006

Jerry L. Peters

49

Chief Financial Officer

2007

Dan E. Christensen

61

Exec. VP / Treasurer / Secretary / Director

2004

Brian D. Peterson

43

Exec. VP / Director

2005

Gordon F. Glade (3)(5)

36

Director

2007

David A. Hart (1)(2)(3)

54

Director

2004

R. Stephen Nicholson (1)(2)(3)

81

Director

2004

Gary R. Parker (2)(6)

58

Director

2007

Herschel C. Patton II (2)(3)(4)

62

Director

2004

Michael A. Warren (1)

45

Director

2006

_______________

 

(1)

Member of Audit Committee.

(2)

Member of Compensation Committee.

(3)

Member of Nominating Committee.

(4)   Mr. Patton resigned as a director effective December 1, 2007.

(5)   Mr. Glade was appointed as a director and became a member of the Nominating Committee on December 20, 2007.

(6)   Mr. Parker became a member of the Compensation Committee on December 20, 2007.



Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers


The following is a brief description of the business experience and background of the above-named officers and directors of our Company.


ROBERT D. VAVRA was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board in January 2007. He is also Chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Vavra has worked for Bank Iowa in various capacities since 1986, and has served as its President and as a director of the bank since 1996. Mr. Vavra has served on a number of community boards over the years, which include the Shenandoah Optimist Club, Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, Essex Commercial Club and Forest Park Manor Board of Directors. He currently serves as a member of the Banking Committee for the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association’s Board of Directors and the Greater Shenandoah Foundation.


WAYNE B. HOOVESTOL was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer in February 2007. He has served as a director since March 2006 and was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in January 2007. Mr. Hoovestol began operating Hoovestol Inc., a trucking company, in 1978 and he later formed an additional trucking company known as Major Transport. Mr. Hoovestol recently sold Major Transport so he could devote a substantial majority of his time to the leadership and strategic oversight of our operations. Mr. Hoovestol became involved with ethanol as an investor in 1995, and has served on the boards of two other ethanol companies. He continues to serve on the board of Tall Corn Ethanol in Coon Rapids, Iowa.


JERRY L. PETERS joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in June 2007. Prior to joining GPRE, Mr. Peters served as Senior Vice President - Chief Accounting Officer for ONEOK Partners, L.P. (formerly Northern Border Partners L.P.), a publicly-traded partnership engaged in gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids from May 2006 to April 2007, as its Chief Financial Officer from July 1994 to May 2006, and in various senior management roles prior to that. Prior to joining ONEOK Partners in 1985, Mr. Peters was employed by KPMG LLP as a certified public accountant.


DAN E. CHRISTENSEN is a founder of the Company and has served as Executive Vice President in charge of construction since January 2007. He has held the positions of Treasurer, Secretary and director since our inception in June 2004, and also served as Chief Operating Officer prior to January 2007. Since 1981, Mr. Christensen has served as Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Mortgage and Investment, LLC, which provides mortgage banking services for real estate projects nationwide, including real estate development projects for his own account. Mr. Christensen spends approximately half of his available business time working for GPRE.




55



BRIAN D. PETERSON has served as Executive Vice President in charge of site development and as a director of the Company since 2005. For more than the past five years, Mr. Peterson has also been employed principally by his farming entities. The grain farming entity includes in excess of thirteen thousand acres in Iowa and Arkansas. Mr. Peterson also owns and operates a cattle feedlot with a capacity of thirteen thousand head in northwest Iowa. Additionally, Mr. Peterson is a board member of Natural Innovative Renewable Energy, LLC, which is a 60 million gallon biodiesel plant in the development stage and is involved in various other renewable fuels investments.


GORDON F. GLADE was appointed as a director on December 20, 2007. For more than the past five years, Mr. Glade has served as President and CEO of AXIS Capital, Inc., a commercial equipment leasing company. In addition, Mr. Glade is President of Central Bio-Energy LLC, an ethanol production company with three sites under development and a current investor in several other ethanol companies. Mr. Glade also serves as Vice President and a director of the Edgar Reynolds Foundation and as a director of the Brunswick State Bank.


DAVID A. HART has served as a director since 2004. For more than the past five years, Mr. Hart has operated Hart Farms near Stanton, Iowa. This diversified operation includes grain production, cattle feeding and backgrounding, cow/calf production, custom farming, grain hauling, custom spraying, and seed sales. Hart Farms plants and harvests approximately 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and also includes approximately 1,500 acres of hay and pasture. Mr. Hart has served on numerous church and community boards, and his memberships include the National Cattlemen’s Association, Corn and Soybean Associations, and the Farm Bureau.


R. STEPHEN NICHOLSON has served as a director since 2004. During the past five years, Mr. Nicholson has been retired and has served on various boards. During that time period, Mr. Nicholson also served as a member of the audit committee of Mercy Corps International (a large international relief and development organization) from July 2003 to 2004 and continues to serve them as an advisor. He also served as a member of the board of directors, including service as board president, of the Northwest Autism Foundation from March 1998 to 2004. Mr. Nicholson has also provided service to numerous domestic and international educational institutions throughout the years.


GARY R. PARKER has served as a director since November 2007. Mr. Parker is the President, CEO and owner of GP&W Inc., d/b/a Center Oil Company, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Parker founded Center Oil in 1986 to market gasoline and other petroleum products. Prior to founding Center Oil, Mr. Parker worked for five years with Koch Industries in Wichita, Kansas. In addition, he served 10 years as Executive Vice President of Apex Oil in St. Louis, Missouri. During his tenure with Apex, Mr. Parker directed all light oil operations for Apex and its subsidiary, Clark Oil & Refining Corporation. Mr. Parker is also the founder of Center Ethanol Company LLC, which is constructing a 54 million gallon ethanol plant with rail and barge access on the Mississippi River, located in Sauget, Illinois. Mr. Parker also serves on the board of Reliance Bancshares Inc., a public company that trades over-the-counter. 


HERSCHEL C. PATTON II has served as a director since November 2004. Mr. Patton was a senior captain and pilot for both Western and Delta Airlines beginning in 1972 until his retirement in June 2004. During his tenure as a captain for Delta, Mr. Patton was involved in the ownership and development of various successful commercial and residential real estate ventures, including the acquisition and sale of the Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club and the Cottonwood Creek Retail Center. Mr. Patton remains active in real estate and various other investments. However, Mr. Patton resigned his position as a director as of December 1, 2007 and will not serve as a director of the combined organization ..


MICHAEL A. WARREN has served as a director since January 2007. Dr. Warren has served as National Manager of the Latin American Research Group in Toyota Motor North America (“TMA”) since 2001. He has been with TMA since 1998. Dr. Warren has been deeply involved in hemisphere renewable fuels research over the last three years, and manages a renewable fuels research group. He made a key presentation and lobbied Toyota engineers to produce a flex fuel version of the Corolla, which was launched earlier this year, and also teamed up with US Toyota affiliates related to production of the first US flex fuel engine. In 2007, he was a participating member of the Demand Task Group of the National Petroleum Council’s Oil & Natural Gas Study.


Our executive officers are elected by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board.


The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and other senior financial officers. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our website, which is located at www.gpreinc.com.


Board Committees


We have established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.




56



The Audit Committee


The function of the Audit Committee as detailed in the Audit Committee Charter is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling their responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the Company and the quality and integrity of the financial reporting of the Company.  In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to facilitate communication between the directors, the independent auditors and Company management. Our Audit Committee Charter is posted on the Company’s Web site, which is located at www.gpreinc.com. The Company believes that the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined by Rule 4200(a) of NASD’S listing standards.  The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. David A. Hart, R. Stephen Nicholson, Robert D. Vavra, and Dr. Michael A. Warren, who was recently appointed to serve on the Audit Committee. Mr. Vavra serves as our Chairman and financial expert on that committee. The Audit Committee provided the following report to shareholders in our last Proxy Statement:


Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors


The Company's Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is posted on the Company’s Web site located at www.gpreinc.com. The Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:


1.  The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with the Company's management.


2.  The Audit Committee has discussed with L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC, the Company's independent accountants, the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as may be modified or supplemented.


3.  The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as may be modified or supplemented, and has discussed with L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC their independence.


4.  Based on the review and discussion referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


David A. Hart

R. Stephen Nicholson

Robert D. Vavra

Michael A. Warren


The Compensation Committee


The Compensation Committee was organized in November 2005. The Compensation Committee establishes a general compensation policy for the Company and, except as prohibited by applicable law, may take any and all actions that the Board could take relating to the compensation of employees, directors and other parties. The Compensation Committee may not delegate its authority. The Compensation Committee engaged the consulting firm of Towers Perrin to advise it with respect to compensation matters related to fiscal year 2006. Such consultants may be retained by the Compensation Committee directly or by the Board. Our Compensation Committee Charter is posted on the Company’s Web site, which is located at www.gpreinc.com.The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. David A. Hart, R. Stephen Nicholson, and Gary R. Parker ..  Mr. Hart is Chairman of our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee provided the following report to shareholders in our last Proxy Statement:


Compensation Committee Report


Committee’s Responsibilities


The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) is presently comprised of three independent members of the Company’s Board. The Committee’s responsibilities include administering and establishing the Company’s general compensation policy and, except as prohibited by applicable law, taking any and all action that the Board could take relating to the compensation of employees, directors and other parties. The Committee sets the overall compensation principles for the Company, subject to annual review.  In consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, it evaluates the performance of and makes compensation recommendations for senior management and key employees.




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Executive Compensation Philosophy


Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. attempts to design executive and employee compensation to achieve two principal objectives. First, the program is intended to be fully competitive so the Company may attract, motivate and retain talented executives and certain key employees experienced in the ethanol business. Second, the program is intended to create an alignment of interests between the Company’s executives, key employees, and shareholders such that a significant portion of each executive’s or key employee’s compensation varies with business performance, and has designed goals for executive officers and key employees as follows:


·

To attract and retain quality talent


·

To use incentive compensation to reinforce strategic performance objectives


·

To align the interest of the executives with the interests of the shareholders, such that risks and rewards of strategic decisions are shared


·

All compensation is tax deductible for the Company, except for the compensation that qualifies for incentive stock option tax treatment.


Executive and key employee compensation consists of three components:  base compensation, performance/bonus award, and long-term incentive compensation, each explained more fully below.


Base Compensation


Salary ranges and increases for executives, including the CEO and other key employees, are established annually based on competitive data. Within those ranges, individual salaries vary based upon the individual’s work experience, performance, level of responsibility, impact on the business, tenure and potential for advancement within the organization. Annual salaries for newly-hired executives or certain key employees are determined at the time of hire taking into account the above factors other than tenure.


The Committee makes salary decisions in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer. The executive officers did not receive salary increases for fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005 base pay rates, because none of our executives received any salaries during the fiscal year 2005. In 2006, Mr. Barry A. Ellsworth, our former CEO, commenced receiving a salary of $120,000, and on October 1, 2006, that salary was increased from $120,000 per year, to $200,000, after considering recommendations made by our compensation consulting firm and industry standard. It is anticipated that once, and if, an incentive plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company, that some combination of bonuses, stock and stock options will be awarded to our current CEO, Mr. Wayne B. Hoovestol, as well as our other executives and key employees.


Performance/Bonus Award


We are presenting an Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the Company at our most recent shareholders meeting to be held in April of 2007. At that time, the Company will present to its shareholders an equity incentive plan developed to reward executives and our other employees, based on meeting or exceeding certain internal objectives that are currently being created by the executive team, the Committee and the Board. The Committee is also receiving input from a compensation consulting firm in connection with structuring these arrangements. The objectives during this period of construction in which we are presently in are being based on meeting certain milestones during this phase of development. Once our plants become operational, we anticipate that objectives will be based on the Company’s revenues, gross margin, profitability, and certain discretionary amounts that will be based on the overall performance of certain individuals. Objectives may also be established for each fiscal quarter, together with an annual objective. If quarterly objectives are established and met, bonuses may be paid for that quarter. If quarterly objectives are established and not met, it is anticipated that no related bonuses will be paid. However, due to the volatility of the underlying prices of the various commodities that are components in the ethanol business, including the prices of corn, natural gas, and ethanol, over which we have no control, such quarterly and annual bonuses may also be based on such things as overall plant performance and/or other forms of milestones met or individual performances. We do not anticipate that executives and/or other key employees will be allowed to make up a missed quarterly bonus based on subsequent performance.


Long-Term Incentive Compensation


Due to the intense competition that currently exists in the ethanol business, and which is anticipated to continue to exist in the foreseeable future, it is difficult to hire and maintain competent, experienced personnel. To help attract and retain qualified personnel, the Company anticipates using the Plan to grant restricted shares and/or options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock over a number of years.   



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The grant of shares and/or options to executives and certain key employees encourages equity ownership and closely aligns management’s interests with the interests of shareholders. Additionally, because shares and/or options will be subject to forfeiture in certain cases if the employee leaves the Company, such shares and/or options are anticipated to provide an incentive to remain with the Company long-term.


At least annually, the Committee will review the advisability of granting shares and/or options to members of management having strategic impact on product, staffing, technology, pricing, and investment or policy matters. The aggregate number of shares and/or options granted to management will be based on the value of each individual’s actual and potential contributions to the Company as well as competitive norms.


Restricted shares and/or options to purchase shares are anticipated to be granted under the proposed Plan. The Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and/or a compensation consulting firm, will determine the number of shares and/or options granted to each executive and key employee. Factors affecting the number of shares/options granted to an executive include his or her position, individual performance, and contribution to the Company’s overall performance.


No options were granted to executive officers during fiscal 2006.


Based on assessments by the Board and the Committee, the Committee believes that the Company’s compensation program for our CEO, CFO, Executive Vice Presidents, and other key employees will need to include the following characteristics to assist in aligning executive interests with long-term shareholder interests:


·

Emphasizes “at risk” pay such as bonuses, options and long-term incentives.  


·

Emphasizes long-term compensation such as options and/or restricted stock.


·

Rewards financial results and promotion of Company objectives rather than individual performance against individual objectives.


Employment and Severance Agreements


The Company has not entered into Employment Agreements with any of its executives except Brian L. Larson, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. All officers of the Company are employed at-will and can be terminated without cause. All employees of the Company have signed Confidentiality Agreements to keep certain information confidential.


The preceding Compensation Committee Report will be incorporated in the Company’s Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report and incorporated thereafter by reference in the Company’s subsequent filings that may be made pursuant to the U.S. Securities laws.


Respectfully submitted by the Members of the Committee,


David A. Hart

R. Stephen Nicholson

Herschel C. Patton


The following is an update of pertinent events subsequent to issuance of the above report:


Our shareholders approved the Equity Incentive Plan at our April 2007 shareholders meeting. Pursuant to the Plan, 30,000 restricted stock awards and options to purchase 385,000 shares were granted to directors and executive officers during the period from December 1, 2006 through November 30, 2007. Brian L. Larson, our former CFO, terminated his employment in June 2007, and Jerry L. Peters was hired as our CFO. The Company has not entered into Employment Agreements with any of its executives except Mr. Peters. Mr. Patton resigned as a director effective December 1, 2007, and Gary R. Parker was appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee on December 20, 2007.


The Nominating Committee


The Nominating Committee was organized in November 2005. The Nominating Committee’s Charter and Policies are available on the Company’s website, which is located at www.gpreinc.com. The Company believes that the members of the Nominating Committee are independent as defined by Rule 4200(a) of NASD’S listing standards.  The members of the Nominating Committee are Messrs. David A. Hart, R. Stephen Nicholson, and Gordon F. Glade .. Mr. Hart is Chairman of our Nominating Committee.



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The function of the Nominating Committee, as detailed in the Nominating Committee’s Charter, is to recommend to the Board the slate of director nominees for election to the Board and to identify and recommend candidates to fill vacancies occurring between annual shareholder meetings. It is the policy of the Nominating Committee to consider candidates recommended by security holders, directors, officers and other sources, including, but not limited to, third-party search firms. Security holders of the Company may submit recommendations for candidates for the Board. All recommendations shall be submitted in writing to David A. Hart at: 105 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 103, Omaha, Nebraska  68131. Such submissions should include the name, contact information, a brief description of the candidate’s business experience, and such other information as the person submitting the recommendation believes is relevant to the evaluation of the candidate. Mr. Hart will then review all such recommendations with the Nominating Committee for consideration. For candidates to be considered for election at the next annual meeting of shareholders, the recommendation must be received by the Company no later than 120 calendar days prior to the date that the Company’s proxy statement is released to security holders in connection with such meeting.


The Nominating Committee has established certain broad qualifications in order to consider a proposed candidate for election to the Board. The Nominating Committee has a strong preference for candidates with prior board of director experience with public companies. The Nominating Committee will also consider such other factors as it deems appropriate to assist in developing a board and committees that are diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. These factors include judgment, skill, diversity (including factors such as race, gender or experience), integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, the interplay of the candidate's experience with the experience of other Board members, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board.


The Nominating Committee will evaluate whether an incumbent director should be nominated for re-election to the Board or any committee of the Board upon expiration of such director's term using the same factors as described above for other Board candidates and the committee will also take into account the incumbent director's performance as a Board member. Failure of any incumbent director to attend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board meetings held in any calendar year will be viewed negatively by the Nominating Committee in evaluating the performance of such director.


Board Meetings, Directors’ Attendance, Independence, and Security Holder Communications


The Board held eighteen meetings during the fiscal year ending on November 30, 2006. No incumbent director attended fewer than 75 % of the Board meetings held nor fewer than 75 % of the committee meetings held by committees on which an incumbent director served this period. The Company’s policy is to encourage, but not require, Board members to attend annual shareholder meetings.  


The Company believes that the following persons, who were serving as directors of the Company as of December 21, 2007, are independent as defined by Rule 4200(a) of NASD listing standards: Messrs. Gordon F. Glade, David A. Hart, R. Stephen Nicholson, Robert D. Vavra, Gary R. Parker and Michael A. Warren.


Security holders who would like to send communications to the Board may do so by submitting such communications to David A. Hart at: Address: 105 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 103, Omaha, Nebraska  68131; Phone: 402.884.8700; Email: d.hart@gpreinc.com. The Board suggests, but does not require, that such submissions include the name and contact information of the security holder making the submission and a description of the matter that is the subject of the communication. Mr. Hart will then review such information with the Board as deemed appropriate.


Shares Available for Future Sale


As of December 21, 2007, there were 7,240,565 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. Affiliates of the Company owned 1,822,927 shares and derivative securities to purchase 453,293 shares. The shares held by non-affiliates of the Company are freely tradable if a market for the securities exists, and the shares held by affiliates could be sold subject to the volume limitations of Rule 144, described below. Sales of shares of stock in the public markets may have an adverse effect on prevailing market prices for the common stock.


We also have outstanding warrants that are exercisable for 793,221 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $30 per share that will expire on December 31, 2007. We also have outstanding warrants that are exercisable for 320,014 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $60 per share, and options that are exercisable for 448,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $26.68 per share. The warrants were sold in our initial public offering and in our second public offering and the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be sold by non-affiliates without restriction. The options were issued under our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.




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Rule 144 governs resale of “restricted securities” for the account of any person, other than an issuer, and restricted and unrestricted securities for the account of an “affiliate” of the issuer. Restricted securities generally include any securities acquired directly or indirectly from an issuer or its affiliates which were not issued or sold in connection with a public offering registered under the Securities Act. An affiliate of the issuer is any person who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the issuer. Affiliates of a Company may include its directors, executive officers, and person directly or indirectly owning 10% or more of the outstanding common stock. Under Rule 144 unregistered re-sales of restricted common stock cannot be made until it has been held for one year from the later of its acquisition from the issuer or an affiliate of the issuer. Thereafter, shares of common stock may be resold without registration subject to Rule 144's volume limitation, aggregation, broker transaction, notice filing requirements, and requirements concerning publicly available information about the Company ("Applicable Requirements"). Re-sales by the issuer’s affiliates of restricted and unrestricted securities are subject to the Applicable Requirements. The volume limitations provide that a person (or persons who must aggregate their sales) cannot, within any three-month period, sell more than the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares, or the average weekly reported trading volume during the four calendar weeks preceding each such sale. A non-affiliate may resell restricted common stock which has been held for two years free of the Applicable Requirements.


Performance Graph


The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company’s Common Stock (GPRE) to the NASDAQ Composite Index (IXIC) and to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U. S. Index (CLEN). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company’s Common Stock and each index was $100 at November 30, 2005, the approximate date upon which the Company closed its first public offering, and that all dividends were reinvested.


Cumulative Total Stockholder Return

November 30, 2005 through November 30, 2006

[gpres4a1002.gif]

* Assumes $100 invested in Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE) at the initial public offering price of $10 per share (GPRE began trading on March 15, 2006), NASDAQ Composite Index (IXIC) and NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index (CLEN), which began trading on May 18, 2006. Prior to March 15, 2006, there was no trading market for the Company’s securities.


The information contained in the Performance Graph will not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor will such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing.




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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans


We currently have one equity compensation plan, our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock and other benefits to employees, directors and consultants. As of December 21, 2007, there were 448,000 options outstanding under the 2007 plan.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


Fagen, Inc.


Ron Fagen of Fagen, Inc. purchased 100,000 shares in our public offering through Hawkeye Companies, LLC. We entered into a lump-sum design build contract and a construction agreement with Fagen, Inc. effective January 13, 2006. Under the construction agreement, Fagen, Inc. provided all work, material, equipment, tools and labor in connection with the engineering, design, procurement, construction startup, performances tests, and training for the operation and maintenance of the Shenandoah plant. Amounts paid or owed to Fagen, Inc. as consideration for services performed totaled approximately $55.9 million.  


Agra Industries, Inc.


Agra Industries, Inc. purchased 33,334 shares in our second public offering. In August 2006, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Superior Ethanol, L.L.C., entered into a construction agreement with Agra Industries, Inc. under which Agra Industries will provide all work, material, equipment, tools and labor in connection with the engineering, design, procurement, construction startup, performances tests, training for the operation and maintenance of the Superior plant. As consideration for the services to be performed, Agra Industries will be paid approximately $79.6 million, subject to adjustments


Superior Ethanol, L.L.C.


On February 22, 2006, we acquired all of the outstanding ownership interest in Superior Ethanol, which had options to acquire approximately 135 acres of property in Dickinson County, Iowa and had completed a feasibility study relating to the construction of an ethanol plant on this site. The site is zoned as “heavy industrial” and has been awarded a property tax abatement from Dickinson County, Iowa. Superior Ethanol had $210,291 in cash at closing. In consideration for the acquisition of Superior Ethanol as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, we issued 100,000 shares of our restricted common stock to Brian Peterson, a director of the Company. Prior to the acquisition, substantially all of Superior Ethanol was owned by Mr. Peterson.  


On May 5, 2006, we acquired approximately 68 acres in Dickinson County Iowa from Mr. Peterson, who had purchased this land (held by option for Superior Ethanol) for the benefit of Superior Ethanol and then transferred the land to Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. for stock.  We issued 10,900 shares at the then-current market value based on the market price of $43.90 for a total consideration of $478,510.


Great Lakes Cooperative


GLC and GPRE have entered into various fixed-priced corn purchase and sale contracts subsequent to the execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. Under the contracts, GPRE has agreed to purchase 7.15 million bushels of corn from GLC from February 2008 through September 2008. These are fixed-price contracts that have an aggregate value of approximately $26 million.




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GPRE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of December 21, 2007, for: (i) each person or entity who is known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our named executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. On December 21, 2007, the Company had 7,240,565 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote.


Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner (1)

Shares Beneficially Owned (2)

Percentage

 of Total

Position

 

 

 

 

Wayne B. Hoovestol (3)

1,046,725

14.1%

Chief Executive Officer and  Director

Gary Parker (4)

524,000

7.2%

Director

Brian D. Peterson (5)

263,100

3.6%

Exec. V.P. and Director

Gordon F. Glade (6)

212,880

2.9%

Director

R. Stephen Nicholson (7)

113,500

1.6%

Director

Dan E. Christensen (8)

101,647

1.4%

Exec. V.P., Treasurer,

Secretary and Director

David A. Hart (9)

47,210

*

Director

Robert D. Vavra (10)

46,500

*

Chairman of the Board

Michael A. Warren (11)

27,000

*

Director

Jerry L. Peters (12)

17,000

*

Chief Financial Officer

Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (10 persons)

2,399,562

31.3%

 


*    Less than 1%

______________


(1)

Except where otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is deemed to be the same address as the Company.

(2)  

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes holding voting and investment power with respect to the securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the total number of shares beneficially owned by the designated person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage for any other person.

(3)  

Includes 846,292 shares, exercisable options for 50,000 equivalent shares, and exercisable warrants for 112,933 equivalent shares owned directly by Mr. Hoovestol. Also includes 30,000 shares and exercisable warrants for 7,500 equivalent shares owned by Mr. Hoovestol’s wife.

(4)  Includes 30,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Parker and 494,000 shares owned by an entity of which Mr. Parker has 100% ownership.  

(5)  Includes 178,100 shares, exercisable options for 50,000 equivalent shares, and exercisable warrants for 16,250 equivalent shares. Also includes 15,000 shares and warrants exercisable for 3,750 equivalent shares that Mr. Peterson owns jointly with a child.

(6)  Includes 3,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Glade, and 209,880 shares owned by an entity of which Mr. Glade is President and has approximately 13% ownership.

(7)  Includes 77,000 shares, exercisable options for 25,000 equivalent shares, and exercisable warrants for 11,500 equivalent shares.

(8)  Includes 51,647 shares and exercisable options for 50,000 equivalent shares.

(9)  Includes 19,800 shares, exercisable options for 25,000 equivalent shares, and exercisable warrants for 2,410 equivalent shares.

(10) Includes 18,800 shares, exercisable options for 25,000 equivalent shares, and exercisable warrants for 2,700 equivalent shares.

(11) Includes 2,000 shares and exercisable options for 25,000 equivalent shares.

(12) Includes 2,000 shares and exercisable options for 15,000 equivalent shares.




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Changes in Control


The Company is not aware of any arrangements which may result in a change in control of the Company.


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance


Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such persons.


Based solely on our review of forms furnished to us and representations from reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% shareholders were complied with during our fiscal year ending November 30, 2006.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


Summary Compensation Table. The following table provides certain information regarding compensation paid by us to the named executive officers.


Summary Compensation Table


 

 

Annual Compensation

Long Term Compensation

 

 

 

 

Awards

Payouts

 


Name and

Principal Position



Year



Salary ($)



Bonus ($)


Other Annual

Compensation ($) (2)

Restricted

Stock

Awards

($)

Stock

Options/

SAR (#)


LTIP

Payouts ($)

All Other

Compensation

($) (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry A. Ellsworth

President, CEO & Director (3)

2004

--

--

--

--

--

--

$37,500

2005

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

2006

$123,333

--

$28,614

--

--

--

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents the value of restricted stock that was issued in consideration for services rendered. The shares for services were issued at $0.25 per share based upon the issuance of the stock to the founders.  

(2)

This is comprised of $24,000 in fees paid as compensation for service as a director, $3,947 as reimbursement for insurance benefits (prior to our establishment of a benefits program), and $667 in matching contributions from participation in our retirement program.

(3)

In February 2007, Mr. Ellsworth resigned his positions as President and CEO and was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President. At that time, Wayne B. Hoovestol was appointed as our CEO. Mr. Ellsworth subsequently resigned his positions as an officer and director in July 2007.


Employment Arrangements


On January 1, 2006, we started paying Barry A. Ellsworth, President and CEO, an annual salary of $120,000. Additionally, we had agreed to reimburse Mr. Ellsworth for his health insurance premiums prior to a health insurance package being purchased by us. His salary was increased to $200,000 per year on October 1, 2006. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, Mr. Ellsworth received $123,333 in salary, $24,000 for Board service, $3,947 for reimbursement of insurance benefits (prior to our establishment of a benefits program on October 1, 2006), and  matching contributions of $667 from participation in our retirement program. On February 27, 2007, Mr. Ellsworth resigned his positions as President and CEO and was named as Executive Vice President of Compliance and Development. On July 30, 2007, Mr. Ellsworth resigned his positions as a director and employee.


On January 18, 2007, Wayne B. Hoovestol was named as our COO. On February 27, 2007, upon Mr. Ellsworth’s resignation as President and CEO, Mr. Hoovestol was appointed to the position of CEO. We are paying Mr. Hoovestol an annual salary of $200,000 per year for his service as CEO. Half of his salary is being paid in cash and half in stock. We have not entered into a written employment agreement with Mr. Hoovestol.


On January 18, 2007, Dan E. Christensen resigned as our COO and was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President in Charge of Construction, with oversight of our construction activities in Iowa. We are paying Mr. Christensen an annual salary of $125,000 per year for said services. Half of his salary is being paid in cash and half in stock. We have not entered into a written employment agreement with Mr. Christensen.


On April 10, 2007, Brian L. Larson gave written notice of his resignation as CFO and employee of the Company effective June 8, 2007.




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Effective June 8, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Jerry L. Peters to serve as our CFO. The terms of the employment agreement provide that Mr. Peters will receive (i) a minimum annual salary of $190,000, which will be increased to $220,000 when our ethanol plant in Superior, Iowa becomes fully operational, (ii) stock options exercisable for 60,000 shares of common stock that vest in four equal annual installments beginning on June 8, 2007, (iii) 12,000 shares of stock that vest in six equal annual installments beginning on June 8, 2007, (iv) bonus compensation in an amount up to thirty to fifty percent of annual salary, based on objectives to be determined by us, and (v) other benefits that are generally available to our employees. The employment agreement is for a five-year term, but is subject to early termination upon the occurrence of specified events.


The Board at its discretion may increase or decrease said compensation in the future. We have a Simple IRA Plan for our employees and we presently match up to 2% of an employee’s contributions to the program. This Simple IRA Plan is being terminated as of January 1, 2008, and is being replaced with an alternative retirement savings plan. We also reimburse our officers and directors for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service to us.   


Director Compensation


Compensation totaling $255,495 was paid to our directors for service on the Board from inception through November 30, 2006. The Company, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, agreed on November 16, 2006 to compensate its current directors in nominal amounts for attendance at Board meetings and committee meetings, committee chairman and secretary duties and for time spent working for and on our behalf. Each director is to be paid $2,000 per month for serving on the Board including committees. Board committee chairman receive $2,500 annually, with the exception of the audit chairman receiving $5,000 and the committee secretary receiving $1,250 annually for these positions. If a Board member spends an entire day working for and on behalf of the Company, said board member will be eligible to receive $600 for that day’s work, and $300 for a half a day’s work. The following table is a summary of payments to directors recorded in fiscal year ending November 30, 2006:


Director

 

Board / Committee Meeting Fees

 

Committee Chairman /

Secretary Fees

 

Additional Services

 

Total

Barry A. Ellsworth

$

24,000

$

-

$

-

$

24,000

Brian D. Peterson

 

24,000

 

-

 

600

 

24,600

Robert D. Vavra

 

24,000

 

6,250

 

600

 

30,850

Dan E. Christensen

 

24,000

 

-

 

34,950

 

58,950

David A. Hart

 

24,000

 

2,500

 

3,300

 

29,800

Herschel C. Patton

 

24,000

 

2,500

 

2,545

 

29,045

R. Stephen Nicholson

 

24,000

 

5,000

 

-

 

29,000

Wayne B. Hoovestol

 

24,000

 

-

 

600

 

24,600

Michael  A. Warren

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Prior directors

 

4,650

 

-

 

-

 

4,650

Total

$

196,650

$

16,250

$

42,595

$

255,495

   

Indemnity Agreements


We have entered into Indemnity Agreements with each of our officers and directors.


Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities


Iowa law authorizes, and our Bylaws and Indemnity Agreements provide for, indemnification of our directors and officers against claims, liabilities, amounts paid in settlement and expenses in a variety of circumstances. Indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted for our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing or otherwise. However, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is, therefore, unenforceable.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation


None of our executive officers serve on our Compensation Committee or in a like capacity in any other entity.




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GPRE BUSINESS


We were formed in June 2004 to construct and operate dry mill, fuel grade ethanol production facilities. Ethanol is a renewable, environmentally clean fuel source that is produced at numerous facilities in the United States, mostly in the Midwest. In the U.S., ethanol is produced primarily from corn and then blended with unleaded gasoline in varying percentages. The ethanol industry in the U.S. has grown significantly over the last few years as its use reduces harmful auto emissions, enhances octane ratings of the gasoline with which it is blended, offers consumers a cost-effective choice, and decreases the amount of crude oil the U.S. needs to import from foreign sources. Ethanol is most commonly retailed as E10, the 10 percent blend of ethanol for use in all American automobiles. Increasingly, ethanol is also available as E85, a higher percentage ethanol blend for use in flexible fuel vehicles. We expect that the market for ethanol will continue to expand due to new federal mandates for its increased usage and the desire to reduce imports of foreign crude oil.


To execute our business plan, in the late summer of 2004, we raised approximately $673,300 in seed capital prior to commencing our initial public offering. We then raised net proceeds of approximately $34.2 million in our initial public offering of equity, which closed in November 2005. Those funds were raised with the intention of building our first ethanol production facility located in Shenandoah, Iowa. In early 2006, we entered into loan arrangements whereby Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA and other participating lenders agreed to lend us up to $47.0 million for construction costs and working capital to build and operate the Shenandoah plant. Operations commenced and we produced initial amounts of ethanol and distillers grains at the Shenandoah plant in late August 2007, which moved us from a development stage company to an operating entity.


We raised net proceeds of approximately $46.8 million in a second public offering of equity, which closed in July 2006 for the construction of our second ethanol plant. Construction began in August 2006 on a second plant in Superior, Iowa, which is currently expected to be completed in early 2008. In October 2006, we received a commitment from CoBank and Farm Credit Services to lend us up to $51.6 million to complete the Superior plant.  


We completed a private placement of 1.2 million shares of our unregistered, non-brokered common stock in November 2007, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million. We expect to use proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.


Both of the above-mentioned ethanol production facilities are name-plate 50 million gallon per year (“mmgy”) plants. Name-plate means the plant is designed by the design builders and the process technology providers to produce at least the stated quantity of ethanol per year once it becomes operational. The Shenandoah plant was built by Fagen, Inc. (“Fagen”) and ICM was used as the process technology provider. Agra Industries is building the Superior plant and we are using Delta T as the technology provider for this plant. At name-plate capacity each plant is expected to, on an annual basis, consume approximately 18 million bushels of corn and produce approximately 50 million gallons of fuel-grade, undenatured ethanol, and approximately 160,000 tons of animal feed known as distillers grains. We have contracted with Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC, (“RPMG”), an independent broker, to sell the ethanol and with CHS Inc., a Minnesota cooperative corporation to sell the distillers grains produced at the plants. Our third party marketing agents will coordinate all sales, marketing, and shipping of our products. The plants will each produce approximately 148,000 tons of carbon dioxide. We intend to scrub and vent the carbon dioxide produced at the plants because we do not believe it would be profitable to install capturing facilities.


Primary Product—Ethanol


Ethanol is a chemical produced by the fermentation of sugars found in grains and other biomass. Ethanol can be produced from a number of different types of grains, such as corn, wheat and sorghum, as well as from agricultural waste products such as rice hulls, cheese whey, potato waste, brewery and beverage wastes and forestry and paper wastes. However, according to the Renewable Fuels Association, approximately 90% of ethanol in the United States today is produced from corn, because corn contains larger quantities of carbohydrates than other grains. Such carbohydrates convert into glucose more easily than most other kinds of biomass.




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Description of Dry Mill Ethanol Production Process


Our plants in Iowa produce or will produce ethanol by processing corn. The corn is received by truck or rail, which is then weighed and unloaded in a receiving building. It is then transported to a scalper to remove rocks and debris before it is conveyed to storage bins. Thereafter, the corn is transported to a hammer mill where it is ground into a mash and conveyed into a slurry tank for enzymatic processing. We add water, heat and enzymes to break the ground grain into a fine slurry. The slurry is heated for sterilization and pumped to a liquefaction tank where additional enzymes are added. Next, the grain slurry is pumped into fermenters, where yeast is added, to begin a batch fermentation process. A distillation system divides the alcohol from the grain mash. Alcohol is then transported through a rectifier column, a side stripper and a molecular sieve system where it is dehydrated. The 200 proof alcohol is then pumped to farm shift tanks and blended with two to five percent denaturant (usually gasoline) as it is pumped into storage tanks.


Corn mash from the distillation stripper is pumped into one of several decanter type centrifuges for dewatering. The water (“thin stillage”) is pumped from the centrifuges and then to an evaporator where it is dried into a thick syrup. The solids that exit the centrifuge or evaporators (“the wet cake”) will be conveyed to the DDGS dryer system. Syrup is then added to the “the wet cake” as it enters the dryer, where moisture is removed. The process will produce distillers grains, which are processed corn mash that can be used as animal feed. The following flow chart illustrates the dry mill ethanol production process:

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Thermal Oxidizer


Ethanol plants such as ours may produce odors in the production of ethanol and its primary by-product, distillers grains that some people find to be unpleasant. We employ thermal oxidizer emissions systems to reduce any unpleasant odors caused by the ethanol and distillers grains manufacturing process.




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By-Products


The principal by-product of the ethanol production process is distillers grains, a high protein, high-energy animal feed supplement primarily marketed to the dairy and beef industry. Distillers grains contain by-pass protein that is comparable to other protein supplements such as cottonseed meal and soybean meal. By-pass proteins are more digestible to the animal, thus generating greater lactation in milk cows and greater weight gain in beef cattle. Dry mill ethanol processing potentially creates three forms of distillers grains: Distillers Wet Grains with Solubles (“DWGS”), Distillers Modified Wet Grains with Solubles (“DMWG”) and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (“DDGS”). DWGS is processed corn mash that contains approximately 65% to 70% moisture. DWGS has a shelf life of approximately three days and can be sold only to feeders within the immediate vicinity of an ethanol plant. DMWG is DWGS that has been dried to approximately 50% to 55% moisture. DMWG have a slightly longer shelf life of approximately three weeks and are often sold to nearby markets. DDGS is DWGS that has been dried to approximately 10% to 12% moisture. DDGS has an almost indefinite shelf life and may be sold and shipped to any market regardless of its vicinity to an ethanol plant. We market DDGS and DMWG to various markets.


Corn Feedstock Supply


We anticipate that each of our plants will process approximately 18 million bushels of corn per year or 49,300 bushels per day as the feedstock for its dry milling process. We anticipate that the corn supply for our plants will be obtained primarily from local markets. Each of our facilities is located near abundant and historically low-cost corn supplies. We believe this will enable us to purchase the majority, if not all, of our corn directly from local farmers, who will deliver the corn directly to our plants by truck. However, each of our plants is also situated on rail lines that we could use to receive corn from other regions of the country if the local corn supplies were unavailable.


The price and availability of corn are subject to significant fluctuations depending upon a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, weather, governmental programs and foreign purchases. Because the market price of ethanol is not related to corn prices, ethanol producers are generally not able to compensate for increases in the cost of corn feedstock through adjustments in prices charged for their ethanol. We therefore anticipate that our plants’ profitability will be negatively impacted during periods of high corn prices.


In addition to establishing ongoing business relationships with local corn farmers, we also anticipate developing relationships with local grain elevators and/or cooperatives to acquire the corn needed for production of ethanol. Most farmers in the areas where our plants are located have their own dry storage facilities, which we anticipate will allow us to purchase much of the corn needed to supply the plants directly from farmers throughout the year. We became licensed as an Iowa Grain Dealer in the fall of 2006, which allows us to contract to purchase Iowa grains. We purchase and sell futures contracts and options as a hedge against rising corn prices. We also utilize cash and forward fixed-price contracts with grain producers and elevators for the actual delivery of corn to our plants.


Ethanol Markets


Ethanol has important applications. Ethanol is a primary fuel that can be used in blended gasoline in quantities as high as 85% (E85) per gallon in flexible fuel vehicles. However, ethanol can also be used as a high quality octane enhancer and as an oxygenate capable of reducing air pollution and improving automobile performance. This is how ethanol has been predominately used in the United States in the past. Historically, the ethanol industry has been heavily dependent on economic incentives to produce ethanol. However, the need for such incentives may diminish as the acceptance of ethanol as a primary fuel and as a fuel additive continues to increase.


Local markets are, of course, the easiest to service because of their close proximity. RPMG may be able to market a significant portion of our ethanol in the areas surrounding our plants. The close proximity of Interstate Highways allows us to transport our products to local markets. However, the local markets where our plants are located may be oversold with other local or regional marketers, and if we were to focus solely on local markets, it could depress local ethanol prices. Therefore, we anticipate that we will market the majority of our ethanol to regional and national markets.


RPMG also markets our ethanol on a regional and national basis. These markets will likely be serviced by rail. Each of our plants is designed with unit-train load out capabilities and access to railroad mainlines. A spur of Burlington Northern Railroad rail lines runs adjacent to our plant in Shenandoah, which allows us to move and store rail cars at the site. The Superior plant lies adjacent to the rail lines of the Union Pacific Railroad. At the Superior site, we are building a large set of loop tracks, which will enable us to load unit trains of both ethanol and DDGS. These rail lines will allow us to sell our products to various regional markets as well as markets throughout the United States.




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Regional pricing for ethanol tends to follow national pricing adjusted for the freight differential. RPMG enters into agreements to sell our ethanol in various local, regional and national markets depending on relative pricing, net of freight, in each market.


National Ethanol Markets


In the past few years, California has been the focus of a major ethanol campaign as MTBE has now been phased out. California banned the use of MTBE beginning January 1, 2004. With further steps recently taken by the State, the consumption of ethanol is expected to increase substantially within California. While there is a great deal of focus on California, another emerging ethanol market is in the Northeast. Both New York and Connecticut banned the use of MTBE as of December 31, 2004. As in California, the primary drivers were the health and water concerns surrounding the use of MTBE.


With the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6) by the U.S. Congress, the use of MTBE as an oxygenate in the U.S. was essentially eliminated, creating a significantly greater demand for ethanol. ,


The location of Burlington Northern rail lines running adjacent to our plant site in Shenandoah help allow us to transport our ethanol to markets throughout the country. As an ethanol producer west of the Mississippi, we believe the Western markets will become our largest and best markets, because it will be less expensive to transport our products to these markets than to the Eastern markets. However, we intend to market our ethanol to the best available market at any given time.


The west and east coasts are the largest ethanol markets. However, there are also other significant national ethanol market opportunities such as Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Nevada, and more are developing, especially since the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6). The bill mandated that at least 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol were to be used annually within the United States by the year 2012.


Ethanol demand is expected to continue to increase due to the elimination of MTBE on a national level with the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6), and the anticipated increase in the use of E85 as a primary fuel.


Federal Ethanol Programs


Ethanol sales have been favorably affected by the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, particularly the Federal Oxygen Program which became effective November 1, 1992. The Federal Oxygen Program requires the sale of oxygenated motor fuels during the winter months in certain major metropolitan areas to reduce carbon monoxide pollution. Ethanol use has increased due to a second Clean Air Act program, the Reformulated Gasoline Program. This program became effective January 1, 1995, and requires the sale of reformulated gasoline in nine major urban areas to reduce pollutants, including those that contribute to ground level ozone.


The use of ethanol as an oxygenate to blend with fuel to comply with federal mandates also has been aided by federal tax policy. The Energy Tax Act of 1978 exempted ethanol blended gasoline from the federal gas tax as a means of stimulating the development of a domestic ethanol industry and mitigating the country’s dependence on foreign oil. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 created the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit (“VEETC”).  VEETC was established to replace the partial tax exemption ethanol-blended fuel received from the federal excise tax on gasoline. Under VEETC, the tax incentive was shifted from a partial exemption from the federal excise tax to a tax credit based on the volume of ethanol blended with gasoline. Referred to as the blender’s credit, VEETC provides companies with a tax credit to blend ethanol with gasoline, totaling 51 cents per gallon of pure ethanol, or approximately 5 cents per gallon for E10 and 43 cents per gallon on E85. VEETC provides the tax incentive through December 31, 2010.   


The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandates that at least 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol be used on an annual basis within the U.S. by the year 2012.  It also gives “small ethanol producers” producing less than 60 million gallons of ethanol per year a 10 cent per gallon federal tax credit on the first 15 million gallons produced on an annual basis. We believe we will be eligible for this credit until our second plant comes on line. We intend to apply for these in the near future, and anticipate that we will receive some credits during the last part of 2007.  However, once we begin producing more than 60 million gallons per year as a Company, we do not believe we will be eligible for the credits thereafter.




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On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the “Energy Act of 2007”) was enacted. The Energy Act of 2007 establishes new levels of renewable fuel mandates, including two different categories of renewable fuels: conventional biofuel and advanced biofuel. Corn-based ethanol is considered conventional biofuel which will be subject to a renewable fuel standard (“RFS”) of at least 9.0 billion gallons per year in 2008, increasing to at least 15.0 billion gallons per year by 2015. Advanced biofuel includes ethanol derived from cellulose, hemicellulose or other non-corn starch sources; biodiesel; and other fuels derived from non-corn starch sources. Advanced biofuel RFS levels are set to reach at least 21.0 billion gallons per year, resulting in a total RFS from conventional and advanced biofuels of at least 36.0 billion gallons per year by 2022.  


Transportation and Delivery


Our plants will have the facilities to receive grain by truck and rail and to load ethanol and distiller’s grains onto trucks and rail cars. Our Shenandoah plant lies adjacent to the lines of the Burlington Northern Railroad (“BNSF”). On January 26, 2006, we entered into an Allowance Contract with BNSF to renovate and add additional track. Under the allowance agreement, we paid $3.5 million for track renovation and construction. The renovation and construction work was done by BNSF on approximately 20 miles of track on a BNSF spur line  running from Red Oak, Iowa to Shenandoah, Iowa. We are entitled to receive transportation cost reduction payments from BNSF to reimburse us for this expense. We will receive rebates for each car that is placed on the track, but only to the extent that our usage of the line exceeds certain annual volume thresholds.


The allowance agreement is for a term expiring on September 14, 2015. We are responsible for complying with all laws, regulations, ordinances, orders, covenants, restrictions, and decisions of any court of competent jurisdiction in connection with our use of the rail lines and the related renovation and construction work. Our use of the lines is at our sole risk and expense, and we are required to maintain, or cause to be maintained, the lines and all facilities and equipment, if any, in a safe and satisfactory condition, in compliance with all applicable laws and in a condition satisfactory to BNSF. BNSF may require for safety purposes that we, at our sole cost and expense, provide flagmen, lights, traffic control devices, automatic warning devices, or any such safety measures that BNSF deems appropriate in connection with our use of this property and we are required to reimburse BNSF for the costs of such items.We also agreed to release, indemnify, defend, and hold BNSF harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, costs, damages, and other expenses arising out of or related to our renovation, construction and use of the lines.


The plant being built in Superior, Iowa lies adjacent to the rail lines of the Union Pacific Railroad. We are building an extensive loop track at the site to store and transport our products throughout the country.  


Utilities


The production of ethanol requires significant amounts of electricity and natural gas. Water supply and water quality are also important considerations.


Natural Gas


Ethanol plants produce process steam from their own boiler systems and dry the distillers grains by-product via a direct gas-fired dryer. Depending on certain production parameters, we believe our plants will each use approximately 5,500 to 6,000 deca-therms of natural gas per day. The price of natural gas is volatile; therefore we use hedging strategies to mitigate increases in gas prices. We have hired U.S. Energy Services, Inc. to assist us in procuring and hedging natural gas.


MidAmerican Energy has constructed a natural gas pipeline to the plant in Shenandoah. However, we are not committed to purchase natural gas from MidAmerican. We expect to purchase natural gas from the best possible source at any given time and simply pay a tariff fee to MidAmerican for transporting the gas through their pipeline.


At our Superior plant, we have entered into a similar agreement with Northern Natural Gas Company (“NNG”), who is building a 1.9-mile lateral pipeline connected to its interstate natural gas pipeline. We have committed to a firm amount of capacity in the pipeline. We will then be able to purchase natural gas from the best source possible at any given time, and then transport the gas from the point of origin to the plant. We will pay a tariff to NNG for the use of their pipeline.


Electricity


The plants will each require approximately 30 million kilowatts hours of electricity per year. We have entered into agreements with MidAmerican Energy concerning the purchase of electricity for the Shenandoah plant at rates that are fixed for 5 years. In Superior we have entered into agreements with Iowa Lakes Electrical Cooperative (“ILEC”) and Cornbelt Cooperative (“CBC”) to supply electricity to that plant. ILEC and CBC will build a substation at the plant and a switch to provide electricity to the facility.



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Water


Each of our plants will require a significant supply of water. The water requirements for a 50 mmgy plant are approximately 400 to 600 gallons per minute, or up to approximately 864,000 gallons per day. Much of the water used in an ethanol plant is recycled back into the process. The plants require boiler makeup water and cooling tower water. Boiler makeup water is treated on-site to minimize all elements that would harm the boiler. Recycled water cannot be used for this process. Cooling tower water is deemed non-contact water (it does not come in contact with the mash) and, therefore, can be regenerated back into the cooling tower process. We are using “grey water” at the Shenandoah plant for the cooling tower that the City of Shenandoah has agreed to provide us for its cost of pumping the water from their treatment plant to our site. It is anticipated that this water will comprise about two thirds of the water that we will use at the plant. We also purchase the potable water that is needed for the distillation process itself (water that comes into contact with the mash) from the City of Shenandoah.


At the Superior site, we are drilling our own wells to operate the plant. We believe we will have to drill two wells and will have to install a filtration system. From the test wells that have been drilled at Superior, we anticipate that we will have a sufficient supply of water from our own wells to operate the plant.


Our Primary Competition


According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, there are currently 28 operating ethanol plants in Iowa, and 18 other plants presently under construction (including our Superior plant). The plants are scattered throughout Iowa, but are concentrated, for the most part, in the northern and central regions where a majority of the corn is produced. We will face significant competition for corn supply from other plants, especially those closest to ours.


We will also be in direct competition with numerous other ethanol producers located throughout the United States, many of whom have much greater resources. According to information obtained from the Renewable Fuel Association, as of October 9, 2007, there were 131 producing ethanol plants/companies within the United States, capable of producing 6.92 billion gallons of ethanol annually. As of that date, 73 new plants were under construction and ten of the currently operating plants were expanding their capacity. Once completed, the new plants under construction and in various stages of expansion will be able to produce an additional 6.56 billion gallons per year. As a result, we believe that by the end of 2009, U.S. ethanol production capacity will be approximately 13.48 billion gallons on an annual basis.  In addition, there are numerous other potential plants that may be constructed depending upon industry conditions and availability of capital. Therefore, we expect that our plants will compete with many other ethanol producers and we anticipate that such competition will be intense.


Additional ethanol plants in the U.S. may also cause increased competition for corn supply to our plants. Increased demand for corn, particularly in areas near our plants, may cause higher prices for the corn we consume in our ethanol production.  Although corn prices in areas near our plants have historically been lower than in other regions where ethanol is produced, additional competition in the immediate vicinity of our plants may cause local prices to increase to levels that reduce our ability to compete with other ethanol producers. The largest ethanol producers in the U.S. include Archer Daniels Midland, Aventine Renewable Energy, Hawkeye Renewables, POET, U.S. BioEnergy Corp., and VeraSun Energy Corporation. In addition, there are several regional entities recently formed, or in the process of formation, of a similar size and with similar resources to ours.


We also face competition from foreign producers of ethanol and such competition may increase significantly in the future. Large international companies with much greater resources than ours have developed, or are developing, increased foreign ethanol production capacities. In 2006, the U.S. surpassed Brazil in the production of ethanol and became the world’s largest ethanol producer. Brazil is now the world’s second largest ethanol producer. However, Brazil makes ethanol primarily from sugarcane for significantly less than what it costs to make ethanol from corn. This is due primarily to the fact that sugarcane does not need to go through the extensive cooking process to convert the feedstock to sugar, as corn does. Although the U.S. has placed a tariff on imported ethanol, Brazil still exported significant amounts of ethanol into the U.S. in 2006. If significant additional foreign capacity is created, such facilities could create excess supplies of ethanol on the world markets which may result in lower prices of ethanol throughout the world, including the U.S. We believe that an increased supply of ethanol in world markets may be mitigated to some extent by increased ethanol demand, due in part to higher oil prices. However, such foreign competition is a risk to our business.


Further, if the import duty on foreign ethanol were to ever be lifted for any reason, our ability to compete with such foreign companies would be drastically reduced. Although, at this time, such risks cannot be precisely quantified, we believe that such risks exist and could increase in the future.




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Competition from Alternative Fuel Additives


Alternative fuels, gasoline oxygenates and ethanol production methods are continually under development by ethanol and oil companies with far greater resources. New products or methods of ethanol production developed by larger and better-financed competitors could provide them competitive advantages and harm our business.


The development of other products that could be used as oxygenates could hinder the growth of the ethanol market. The impact of such alternatives can not be determined at this time, but if another alternative to ethanol were developed, the negative ramifications to the ethanol industry could be significant.


Historically, MTBE was used as an oxygenate in gasoline. However, it has been linked to groundwater contamination at various locations in the east and west. As a result, California passed legislation which completely phased out MTBE from its gasoline pool as of January 2004. Similarly, New York and Connecticut passed legislation to phase out the use of MTBE by the end of 2004. According to the Energy Information Administration, more than sixteen states have banned the use of MTBE, due to concerns over groundwater contamination, and other states were proposing to do so prior to the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Ethanol was, and is, the most readily available substitute for MTBE. With the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the protection from lawsuits that had been granted to producers and blenders of MTBE was removed. This means that anyone that used MTBE in the past cannot be sued for doing so, since it was the Federal Government that required blenders to oxygenate with additives such as MTBE in the first place. However, producers and/or blenders that continue to use MTBE as an oxygenate, may be sued in the future. Therefore, blenders in the U.S. are no longer using MTBE as an oxygenate.


Advances and changes in the technology of ethanol production are expected to occur primarily in the area of ethanol made from cellulose obtained from other sources of biomass such as switch grass or fast growing poplar trees. If significant advances were made in the area of cellulosic ethanol production, such advances could make the current ethanol production technology that we intend to use at our plants less desirable or even obsolete. Our plants are designed as single-feedstock facilities that without significant modification would have no use other than the production of ethanol and associated products from corn.


Employees


We presently have 49 full-time, two temporary and three seasonal employees. We are currently interviewing individuals to fill management positions at the Superior plant. Once these positions have been filled, we will be hiring staff for the direct operation of the Superior plant. We currently expect to employ approximately 35 people at this plant. We will operate in rural areas with low unemployment. There is no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel at a reasonable cost.


We have and intend to continue to enter into written confidentiality and assignment agreements with our officers and employees. Among other things, these agreements require such officers and employees to keep strictly confidential all proprietary information developed or used by us in the course of our business.


Acquisition of Superior Ethanol


On February 22, 2006, we acquired all of the outstanding ownership interest in Superior Ethanol. At that time, Superior had options to acquire at least 159 acres of property in Dickinson County, Iowa. Superior had completed a feasibility study relating to the construction of an ethanol plant on this site and the site was zoned as heavy industrial. The Superior site had been awarded a property tax abatement from Dickinson County, Iowa. In addition, Superior had $210,291 in cash at closing. As consideration for the acquisition of Superior, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, we issued 100,000 shares of our restricted common stock to Brian Peterson, a director of the Company. Prior to the acquisition, substantially all of Superior was owned by Mr. Peterson.


Construction of Superior Plant – Design-Build Contract


Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Superior Ethanol, we entered into a design-build contract with Agra Industries, Inc. effective August 1, 2006, for the design and construction of our plant near Superior, Iowa. Under the agreement, Agra Industries will furnish all labor, materials, equipment and all services necessary to engineer, design and construct a 50 mmgy natural gas dry-mill ethanol plant near Superior, Iowa. As consideration for the services to be performed, Agra Industries will be paid the cost to perform the work plus a design builder's fee based on eight percent (8%) of the cost of the work. The sum of the cost of the work and the design-builder's fee is guaranteed by Agra Industries not to exceed approximately $79.6 million, subject to future adjustment. In addition to the guaranteed maximum price, we are required to make available a contingency fund of $4,000,000 that can be accessed by Agra Industries for certain line item cost increases. We will be charged cost plus 8% for any authorized change orders in the work.



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We are required to make progress payments to Agra Industries based upon applications for payment submitted to us. Applications will be submitted twice per month and payment of undisputed amounts is due within fifteen days thereafter. We expect to retain 7% of the amount submitted in each application for payment, up to a maximum of $4,000,000. Retainage will be released upon substantial completion of the plant. All undisputed amounts not paid when due will incur interest at the rate of 10%.


Agra Industries is to achieve substantial completion of the work no later than fifteen months from the date of commencement, subject to adjustments as described in the design-build contract. Substantial completion occurs when (i) the project has been constructed according to the plans and specification, (ii) a certificate of occupancy has been issued, (iii) a punch list has been agreed to by Agra Industries and Superior, and (iv) each of the performance guarantees, when separately tested, achieves results of 90% or better.


Agra Industries is required to pay liquidated damages in the amount of $7,500 per day for each day after the required substantial completion date that the work is not substantially complete through no fault of Superior. The aggregate amount of liquidated damages is capped at $2,000,000. Agra Industries is entitled to an early completion bonus of $2,500 for each day that substantial completion occurs in advance of the required substantial completion date, provided that the plant meets certain performance guarantees within 90 days following the substantial completion date.


 If Agra Industries encounters conditions at the site that are (i) subsurface or otherwise concealed physical conditions which differ materially from those indicated in the design-build contractor (ii) unknown physical conditions of an unusual nature which differ materially from those ordinarily found to exist and generally recognized as inherent in construction activities of this type, then an equitable adjustment to the consideration to be paid to Agra Industries and the required substantial completion date under the design-build contract is required.


 Agra Industries will have the right to stop or postpone work and to reasonably adjust the time for completion of the work if any of the following occurs:


·

delays caused by any governmental or regulatory authority that are not the result of any fault, negligence or breach of the design-build contract by Agra Industries;


·

delay in acting or failing to act in accordance with the terms of the design-build contract, provided we have been given notice by Agra Industries of the same and failed to cure our non-compliance;


·

restraints or injunctions issued by a judicial body requiring the work to be halted;


·

changes in laws affecting the design-build contract are enacted;


·

force majeure events, such as, fires, floods, earthquakes, civil disturbances, wars, insurrections, riots, or sabotage;


·

strikes, involuntary work stoppages, labor disputes, or lockouts not resulting from any fault of Agra Industries which could not be reasonably expected;


·

receipt of materials or equipment is delayed, but only up to a maximum of 75 days, through no fault of Agra Industries;


·

adverse weather conditions that are abnormal for period that could not have been reasonably anticipated; and


·

any other delay not caused by Agra Industries or otherwise set forth herein.


Both parties have the right to terminate the design-build contract for cause. Agra Industries may terminate the design-build contract if (i) work is stopped for a period of 30 consecutive days through no fault of Agra Industries, (ii) a governmental act requires the work to be stopped, (iii) we do not pay Agra Industries the amounts owed, or (iv) upon other specified events. Upon such termination by Agra Industries, we are required to pay Agra Industries for the work performed and for proven losses with respect to materials, equipment, tools, and construction equipment and machinery, including reasonable overhead, profit and damages. We may terminate the design-build contract without cause. Upon such termination, Agra Industries is entitled to payment for design services performed, costs incurred by reason of such termination and reasonable overhead and profit on design services not completed.


We will attempt to resolve any disputes under the design-build contract through discussions between the parties. If the dispute is still not resolved, then the parties would submit the matter to arbitration, but only on written agreement of both parties. If the parties do not agree to arbitration, then the matter will be resolved through other legal remedies.




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Regulatory Permits – Superior Plant


We engaged two different environmental consulting firms to coordinate, advise and assist us with obtaining certain environmental, occupational health, and safety permits, plans, submissions, and programs. Many of those permits are discussed below. In addition to these permits, we have applied and will apply for other local, state, and federal permits related to environmental, occupational health, and safety requirements as needed. The information below is based in part on information generally relied upon by consultants and may include certain assumptions regarding the accuracy of specifications provided by manufacturers of the equipment and other components used in the construction of the plants.


Phase I Environmental Permit


Before construction could begin at Superior, we had to obtain a Phase I Environmental Permit which stated that the proposed site was not contaminated in anyway that would pose an environmental hazard to anyone working at the site. We entered into an agreement with PSI, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska to perform this work. They completed their studies and found that there were no such hazards present at the proposed sites, and that we would be able to proceed with construction.


Air Permit


We engaged Natural Resource Group (“NRG”) to do the modeling and obtain our air permits for the plant. Air permits for the Superior plant construction were obtained in a timely manner.


Waste Water Discharge Permit  


We expect that we will use water to cool our closed circuit systems in the Superior plant. In order to maintain high quality water for the cooling systems, the water will be continuously replaced with makeup water. As a result, the plant is expected to discharge clean, non-contact cooling water from boilers and the cooling towers into a nearby stream.


Storm Water Discharge Permit and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan


Before we could begin construction of our Superior plant, we had to obtain an Industrial Storm Water Discharge Permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. As part of the application for this permit, we were required to prepare a construction site erosion control plan for the project. We also had to have a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan in place that identifies various measures we plan to implement to prevent storm water pollution. We are also subject to certain reporting and monitoring requirements.


Alcohol Fuel Producer’s Permit


Before we can begin operations at Superior, we will have to comply with applicable Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulations. These regulations require that we first make application for and obtain an alcohol fuel producer’s permit. The term of the permit continues until terminated, revoked or suspended. The permit also requires that we maintain certain security measures and secure an operations bond. There are other taxation requirements related to special occupational tax and a special tax stamp. We intend to apply for this permit in the near future.


Expected Timing of Permitting and Consequences of Delay or Failure


Without the air pollution construction permits, we would have been unable to begin construction. As stated above, these permits were applied for and granted. The permits are valid indefinitely until the plant is modified or there is a process change that changes air emissions.


We must complete our spill prevention control and countermeasure plan, which is in the process of being completed, at or near the time of commencement of operations.


Without all of the needed permits, we will be unable to begin or continue operations.


Environmental Permits, Compliance Costs and Nuisance


Even if we receive all environmental permits for construction and operation of our ethanol plants, we will also be subject to ongoing oversight activities by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). There is always a risk that the EPA may enforce certain rules and regulations differently than an individual state’s environmental administrators. Environmental rules are subject to change, and any such changes could result in greater regulatory burdens.




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We do not expect that compliance with current applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations will have a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. After the construction of the Superior plant is completed, we do not expect to make significant capital expenditures for environmental control facilities during the two fiscal years to follow, or thereafter for the foreseeable future. Changes or amendments to existing rules or regulations, or the adoption of new environmental rules or regulations, may materially affect the plants or our operations.


Even if we receive all EPA and Iowa environmental permits for construction and operation of the plant, we may be subject to the regulations on emissions by the EPA. We could also be subject to environmental or nuisance claims from adjacent property owners or residents in the area arising from odors or other air or water discharges from the plants, although we do not expect any such claims. To minimize the risk of such claims, we intend to employ a thermal oxidizer at each site.


Properties


We currently own approximately 108 acres of land and a 50 mmgy ethanol plant near Shenandoah, Iowa. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Superior Ethanol, we own approximately 252 acres of land and are constructing a 50 mmgy ethanol plant near Superior, Iowa. We also own options on other potential ethanol plant sites in Iowa and Minnesota; however, we may choose to allow some or all options we currently own to expire.


Acquisition of Essex Elevator, Inc.


In September 2007, we purchased Essex Elevator, Inc. for $0.3 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. The elevator is located approximately five miles to the northeast of the Shenandoah plant on the same rail line we use to transport products from our plant. We believe that owning additional grain storage located near the Shenandoah plant allows us greater flexibility in the procurement of corn and expands our corn purchasing opportunities.




75



GPRE MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


General


The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included herewith and notes to the consolidated financial statements thereto and the risk factors contained therein.


Overview


We were formed to construct and operate dry mill, fuel grade ethanol plants. Ethanol is a renewable, environmentally clean fuel source that is produced at numerous facilities in the United States, mostly in the Midwest. In the U.S., ethanol is produced primarily from corn and then blended with unleaded gasoline in varying percentages. The ethanol industry in the U.S. has grown significantly over the last few years as its use reduces harmful auto emissions, enhances octane ratings of the gasoline with which it is blended, offers consumers a cost-effective choice at the pump, and decreases the amount of crude oil the U.S. needs to import from foreign sources. Ethanol is most commonly retailed as E10, the 10 percent blend of ethanol for use in all American automobiles. Increasingly, ethanol is also available as E85, a higher percentage ethanol blend for use in flexible fuel vehicles. We expect that the market for ethanol will continue to expand due to new federal mandates for its increased usage and the desire to reduce imports of foreign crude oil.


Construction of our first ethanol plant, located in Shenandoah, Iowa, began in April 2006. Operations commenced and we produced initial amounts of ethanol and distillers grains at the Shenandoah plant in late August 2007, which moved us from a development stage company to an operating entity. Construction began in August 2006 on a second plant, similar to the Shenandoah facility, in Superior, Iowa, which is currently expected to be completed in early 2008. We are currently focusing our efforts on efficient operation of the Shenandoah plant, as well as preparing for the completion of our Superior plant. To facilitate future growth, our plants have been designed for ease of future expansion. We also plan to explore other growth opportunities and strategies, which may include acquiring existing (or building new) ethanol plants and related facilities, including grain storage facilities.  


For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, we had net income of $918,120. We had accumulated earnings of $470,371 at November 30, 2006. We had other income of $3,395,106 in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2006.  This was primarily generated from interest on our cash and securities and derivative financial instruments related to corn futures. Our operating expenses were $2,150,986 for the year ended November 30, 2006. These expenses related primarily to our general and administrative costs, consulting costs, costs associated with various permits needed to build our plants, various costs associated with feasibility work done at other potential sites and various costs associated with the commencement of construction at the Shenandoah and Superior sites.


For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, we had net losses of $2,383,592 and $5,292,281, respectively, compared to a net loss of $43,490 and net income of $78,376, respectively, during the comparable periods of the prior year. Noncash compensation costs expensed for our share-based payment plans was $559,476 and $3,493,441 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively. Unrealized loss on corn inventory was $589,678 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007. We have an accumulated deficit of $4,821,910 as of August 31, 2007.


Operating results within the ethanol industry are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers grains and natural gas. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results may fluctuate substantially. We may experience increasing costs for corn and natural gas and decreasing prices for ethanol and distillers grains which could significantly impact our operating results. Because the market price of ethanol is not directly related to corn prices, ethanol producers are generally not able to compensate for increases in the cost of corn feedstock through adjustments in prices charged for ethanol. Based on recent forward prices of corn and ethanol, we may be operating our plants at low to possibly negative operating margins. Increases in corn prices or decreases in ethanol prices may result in it being unprofitable to operate our plants.


The price and availability of corn are subject to significant fluctuations depending upon a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, weather, governmental programs and foreign purchases. During the past five years, the average price of corn for the upcoming, or “near,” month on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) has been approximately $2.60 per bushel. In the areas surrounding our Shenandoah and Superior plants, the average has been slightly less due to the transportation cost differential, or “basis,” to the delivery points designated by the CBOT contract. Recently, basis to the CBOT contract for corn in the areas surrounding our plants has ranged from approximately $0.16 to $0.42 per bushel.




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The price of corn increased dramatically in the last quarter of 2006 and has remained at levels significantly above the five-year average noted above during the first ten months of 2007. The average price of corn for the near month on the CBOT has been approximately $3.68 per bushel during this time period. We believe the increase is primarily due to the expansion of the ethanol industry and the resulting increased demand for corn. Higher corn prices will negatively affect our costs of production. However, we also believe that higher corn prices will, depending on the prices of alternative crops, encourage farmers to plant more acres of corn in the coming years. We further believe that higher corn prices will cause farmers to divert land currently in the Conservation Reserve Program to corn production. We believe an increase in land devoted to corn production could reduce the price of corn to some extent in the future.


Historically, ethanol prices tend to track the wholesale price of gasoline. Ethanol prices can vary from state to state at any given time. Over the past five years, the U.S. average rack price of ethanol has averaged approximately $0.39 per gallon over the NYMEX contract for wholesale gasoline prices. During the past two months, wholesale ethanol prices have averaged approximately $0.34 per gallon below wholesale gasoline prices. We believe this is due to constraints in the infrastructure surrounding blending and distribution that has resulted from significant increases in ethanol supply in recent years. We also believe additional expected ethanol supply expected to come on-line in the near future has reduced wholesale ethanol prices compared to gasoline.


At this time, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in our efforts to complete construction or commence operations at the plant we are currently building in Superior. We expect to incur significant losses until we complete the construction of our Superior plant and commence operations at this second location. Even if we successfully meet all our objectives and begin operations at the second plant, no assurance can be given we will be able to operate either or both of the plants profitably. If successful, however, we may decide to expand production at our Shenandoah and/or Superior plants or possibly build at other sites.


Shenandoah plant


Our Shenandoah plant is a name-plate 50 mmgy facility. Our first grind of corn at the Shenandoah plant occurred in late August 2007. Nearly all of the employees needed to operate the plant began working for us by early June. Plant employees completed several weeks of safety and plant operational training prior to commencement of operations at the Shenandoah plant. The training activities included experience at a fully operational ethanol plant under the direction of ICM’s training staff. ICM and Fagen assisted us during initial plant operation to ensure that our employees are properly trained to safely and efficiently operate the Shenandoah plant. In September 2007, the Shenandoah plant completed the performance test of the Fagen contract by completing seven days of continuous operation at or exceeding certain identified performance criteria, including production at name-plate capacity levels.


The following table describes our projected sources and uses of funds for the Shenandoah facility. Working capital costs include inventory costs which may vary significantly based on market prices for corn, ethanol, and distillers grains.



 Sources and Uses of Funds

   

 

Estimated sources of funds:

 

 

Net common stock and warrant proceeds

$

37,119,000

Economic development loan and grant

 

400,000

Interest earned, derivative gains and other, net

 

781,000

Term and revolving debt financing

 

47,000,000

Total estimated sources of funds

$

85,300,000

   

 

 

Estimated uses of funds:

 

 

Plant construction

$

60,456,000

Site costs

 

5,968,000

Railroad costs

 

4,900,000

Fire protection / water supply costs

 

3,960,000

Rolling stock costs

 

240,000

Financing costs and capitalized Interest

 

1,476,000

Pre-production period costs

 

800,000

Working capital and other costs

 

7,500,000

Total estimated uses of funds

$

85,300,000


Amounts in the above table are only estimates. The final accounting and cost segregation for the Shenandoah plant is expected to be performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.




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Superior plant


Our Superior plant is a name-plate 50 mmgy facility expected to be completed early in 2008. We are currently interviewing individuals to fill management positions at the Superior plant. Once these positions have been filled, we will be hiring staff for the direct operation of the Superior plant. We currently expect to employ approximately 35 people at this plant.


The following table describes our projected sources and uses of proceeds for the Superior facility. We believe we have sufficient funds available to complete the construction and commence operation of the Superior plant. However, the actual use of funds is based upon contingencies, such as the estimated cost of construction of the plant and related facilities construction, the cost of debt financing, pre-production period costs and working capital costs. Working capital costs include inventory costs which may vary significantly based on market prices for corn. Therefore, the following figures are intended to be estimates only and the actual use of funds may vary significantly from the descriptions given below depending on the contingencies described above.


Sources and Uses of Funds

 

 

 

Estimated sources of funds:

 

 

Net common stock and warrant proceeds

$

48,317,000

Interest earned, derivative gains and other, net

 

6,817,000

Term and revolving debt financing

 

50,000,000

Total estimated sources of funds

$

105,134,000

   

 

 

Estimated uses of funds:

 

 

plant construction

$

79,605,000

Site costs

 

4,720,000

Railroad costs

 

6,342,000

Fire protection / water supply costs

 

3,517,000

Rolling stock costs

 

350,000

Financing costs and capitalized Interest

 

1,800,000

Pre-production period costs

 

800,000

Working capital and other costs

 

8,000,000

Total estimated uses of funds

$

105,134,000


Amounts in the above table are only estimates. Actual expenditures could be higher or lower due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” of this report.


Merger and Acquisition Activities


In September 2007, we purchased Essex Elevator, Inc. for $0.3 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. The elevator is located approximately five miles to the northeast of the Shenandoah plant on the same rail line we use to transport products from our plant. We believe that owning additional grain storage located near the Shenandoah plant allows us greater flexibility in the procurement of corn and expands our corn purchasing opportunities.


In August 2007, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Great Lakes Cooperative. The closing of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including approval by GLC members. If the plan of merger is approved by GLC members, all outstanding GLC common and preferred stock will be exchanged for (i) an aggregate of 551,065 shares of our common stock, plus (ii) an aggregate of $12.5 million in cash. The shares of our common stock issued in the exchange are being registered by this registration statement. We will not be seeking shareholder approval of the proposed transaction from our shareholders.


We are also exploring other possible opportunities, including opportunities of mergers and acquisitions involving other ethanol producers and developers, other renewable fuels related technologies and grain and fuel logistics facilities.  




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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


This disclosure is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires that the Company make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are proper and reasonable under the circumstances. We continually evaluate the appropriateness of estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The following key accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.


Property and Equipment


Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation through August 31, 2007, which has been for computer equipment and software, office furniture and equipment, vehicles, and other fixed assets, has been provided primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are currently at 3-7 years. Our ethanol production facilities, grain storage facilities, railroad track and other related assets that were put into use at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007 will be depreciated over longer estimated useful lives, which are to be determined during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 when the final accounting and cost segregation is completed.


Land and permanent land improvements are capitalized at cost. Non-permanent land improvements, construction in progress, and interest incurred during construction are capitalized and depreciated upon the commencement of operations of the property. The determination for permanent land improvements and non-permanent land improvements is based upon a review of the work performed and if the preparation activities would be destroyed by putting the property to a different use, the costs are not considered inextricably associated with the land and are depreciable. This determination will have an impact on future results because permanent land improvements are not depreciated whereas non-permanent improvements will be depreciated.


We periodically evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of fixed assets or whether the remaining balance of fixed assets should be evaluated for possible impairment. We use an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the fixed assets in measuring their recoverability.


Recoverable rail line costs


Our initial expenditures for renovation costs related to a railroad spur owned by BNSF Railway (“BNSF”) are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Transportation cost reductions allowed by BNSF will be recorded as a reduction to the track renovation costs and included in cost of goods sold until the full amount has been recovered. If the track is sold by BNSF, the agreement provides for repayment to us for any portion of the unrecovered renovation costs. We review this asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Currently, we believe we will fully recover the rail line renovation costs and therefore have not recorded a valuation allowance for this asset.  


Impairment of long-lived assets


Our long-lived assets consist of property and equipment and acquired intangible assets. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is required in determining the fair value of our long-lived assets to measure impairment, including projections of future cash flows.




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Share-based compensation


We account for share-based compensation transactions using a fair-value-based method, which requires us to record noncash compensation costs related to payment for employee services by an equity award, such as stock options, in our consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period. Our outstanding stock options are subject only to time-based vesting provisions and include exercise prices that are equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time of grant. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using assumptions pertaining to expected life, interest rate, volatility and dividend yield. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of our common stock. The expected life of options granted represents an estimate of the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding, which is shorter than the term of the option. In addition, we are required to calculate estimated forfeiture rates on an ongoing basis that impact the amount of share-based compensation costs we record. If the estimates we use to calculate the fair value for employee stock options differ from actual results, or actual forfeitures differ from estimated forfeitures, we may be required to record gains or losses that could be material.


Derivative financial instruments


We follow Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” in accounting for our risk management activities. Under SFAS No. 133 derivatives such as exchange-traded futures contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Until operations commenced, all realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments were recorded in the statement of operations in other income. Upon the commencement of operations, all realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments are considered a component of cost of goods sold. Unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments found to be highly effective hedges for underlying commodity purchases and sales may be designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax. For ineffective hedges, unrealized gains and losses will be considered a component of cost of goods sold. Gains and losses on derivatives not recorded in other comprehensive income may have a material impact on operating results due to market volatility.


Accounting for Income Taxes


Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management’s evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets must consider positive and negative evidence, and the weight given to the potential effects of such positive and negative evidence is based on the extent to which it can be objectively verified.  


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In February, 2007 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand the use of fair market value measurement, which is consistent with long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to be significant to our consolidated financial statements.




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Results of Operations


Years Ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004


Our fiscal year ends on November 30 of each year and our fiscal year ending 2004 is for the period of June 29, 2004, our inception, through November 30, 2004.


 We have had no revenues from operations since inception in 2004, however, we have had other income primarily from interest earned on the funds raised in our various offerings and the profits we have made from our derivative financial instruments purchased as part of our hedging activities during the later part of 2006. We recorded interest income of $1,791,989, $331,792 and $310 for the fiscal years ending 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our gains on derivative financial instruments were $1,600,396 for the fiscal year ending 2006. The remaining other income in fiscal year 2006 is from farm operations on our Shenandoah property.   


We expect interest income to decline as we use the proceeds from our offerings to fund the building of the plants. Further, there can be no assurance given that we will have future profits on our hedging activities. The price of corn rose dramatically in the September, 2006 to November, 2006 period resulting in the profits on the futures. We are using futures and options to assure we will have an adequate supply of corn to commence operations at the Shenandoah plant prior to the new harvest. However, we do not expect the price of corn to continue to rise at the same rate that occurred during the period discussed. Inversely, the price of corn could also decrease and we could incur losses on our positions.  


Our operating expenses were $2,150,986, $729,546 and $50,305 for the fiscal years ending 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our operating expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries and benefits, professional fess including accounting, legal, consulting, investor relations, board fees and site development fees for consultants for obtaining regulatory permits, plant design, rail design, feasibility studies and other services prior to starting construction.


The increase in operating expenses for fiscal year 2006 compared to 2005 was primarily due to: (1) a $456,296 increase in employee salaries and benefits related to increasing from no employees in 2005 to eight at the end of 2006, (2) a $885,759 increase in professional fees as the Company utilized more consultants for accounting, legal, investor relations, began paying board fees and increased site development activities to locate possible sites for other ethanol plants


Since inception we have engaged consultants for professional services work. Prior to the commencement of the construction of our two plants, our expenses were primarily the result of our efforts to identify viable sites for ethanol plants. We expended amounts of capital on other potential sites. We incurred feasibility costs, such as drilling test wells for water availability, plant layout, track design etc. We have also incurred and paid consulting costs to help us develop other sites at which we would like to build additional plants. We have used the funds from the Superior Ethanol acquisition and a nominal amount of additional funds that we have received from the exercise of warrants to pay for these costs.


The increase in operating expenses for fiscal year 2005 compared to 2004 was primarily due to an increase in professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting and increased site development activities for the Shenandoah plant prior to commencement of construction.


As a result of the operating expenses and other income discussed above our income (loss) before income taxes was $1,244,120, $(397,754) and $(49,995) for fiscal years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our provision for income tax expense was $326,000 for fiscal year ended 2006. We did not record an income tax benefit for the losses for fiscal years ending 2005 and 2004 due to the uncertainty of realizing the benefit in future years. Net income (loss) was $918,120, $(397,754) and $(49,995) for the fiscal years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004.


Three and Nine Months Ended August 31, 2007 and 2006


For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, we had net losses of $2,383,592 and $5,292,281, respectively, compared to a net loss of $43,490 and net income of $78,376, respectively, during the comparable periods of fiscal 2006. Except for a small amount of revenues from the sale of distillers grains at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we have had no revenues from operations since our inception in June 2004. Due to the fact that the first outputs of distillers grains were “test product” that were sold at discounted rates, we reported a small gross loss on third quarter revenues. Based on recent forward prices for corn and ethanol, we may be operating the Shenandoah plant at low to possibly negative operating margins.




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Operating expenses were $1,750,418 and $6,151,128 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively, as compared to operating expenses of $598,622 and $1,177,522, respectively, during the comparable periods of fiscal 2006. Our operating expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries, incentives and benefits; stock-based compensation expenses; office expenses; board fees; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting, and investor relations activities. The increase in operating expenses for the three and nine months ending August 31, 2007, as compared to the same periods of 2006, was partially due to an increase in employee salaries, incentives and benefits resulting from the increase in employees needed to operate the Shenandoah plant. The Shenandoah plant employs 37 full-time people. Additionally, many of the new employees went through extensive training specifically related to ethanol plant operations during the period of time between their hire date and the commencement of plant operations. Another reason for the large increase in operating expenses during the three and nine months ending August 31, 2007, as compared to same periods of fiscal 2006, relates to stock-based compensation expenses. We recorded $559,476 and $3,493,441 in stock-based compensation expenses during the three and nine months ending August 31, 2007, respectively, with no such costs during fiscal 2006. A significant portion of these stock-based compensation expenses were board-related fees totaling $2,827,655, which were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, resulting from share and options grants to all board members under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.


Interest income, primarily on the funds raised in our various common stock offerings, was $194,423, and $1,001,783 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively, as compared to $477,744 and $1,178,510, respectively, during the comparable periods of fiscal 2006. Interest income has declined in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 as we have used cash proceeds from our equity offerings to partially fund the construction of our plants.  


Interest expense related to debt incurred to fund working capital was $146,446 and $192,128 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively, with no interest expense incurred during the comparable periods of fiscal 2006.   


We recorded an unrealized loss on inventory of $589,678 during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007 resulting from the difference in costs to purchase corn, which were at higher rates when we began making purchase commitments on future delivery contracts as compared to the current market price for corn.   


Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments were $(64,492) and $339,562 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively, as compared to $77,388 during each of the comparable periods of fiscal 2006. We utilize derivatives, such as futures and options, to manage price risks for corn expected to be consumed in operations at both the Shenandoah and Superior plants. We have also contracted for fixed-price, future physical delivery of corn with various producers. We intend to continue, and may expand, the use of various derivatives and forward contracts to manage price and supply risks for corn inputs at our plants.  


Our ethanol marketer has forward sold quantities of ethanol expected to be produced at our plants during the next 12 months. We continually negotiate purchases of natural gas, denaturant, enzymes, and other needed chemicals to operate the plant, and anticipate that we will have sufficient quantities of these materials in place or under contract to meet the operational requirements at each of our plants. Our risk management transactions to-date have not met the specific requirements for hedge accounting treatment under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and as a result, changes in market values are recognized in our operations currently. We intend to evaluate the possibility of qualification of future risk management transactions under hedge accounting treatment. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Critical Accounting Policies.”  


As a result of the operating expenses and other income discussed above, our loss before income taxes was $2,352,081 and $5,586,770 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $43,490 and net income of $78,376 during the comparable periods of fiscal 2006. Our income tax provision was $31,511 and income tax benefit was $294,489 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively. We did not record a full income tax benefit for the fiscal 2007 periods and the comparable periods in fiscal 2006 due to loss carryforwards.

 



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Liquidity and Capital Resources


On August 31, 2007, we had $16,636,240 in cash and equivalents and $50,360,404 available under committed loan agreements (subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions). We anticipate utilizing substantially all of these funds for completion of the construction of our Superior plant, unpaid amounts owed on construction of our Shenandoah plant, and associated working capital requirements. We believe that we have secured sufficient funding to complete construction of and begin operations at our second ethanol plant. The Shenandoah plant commenced production of ethanol and distillers grains at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The acquisition of Essex Elevator and the GLC merger, and the related working capital that may be associated with acquiring and storing significant quantities of corn, is expected to require additional financing of at least $12.5 million. In the future, we may decide to improve or preserve our liquidity through the issuance of common stock in exchange for materials and services. We may also sell additional equity or borrow additional amounts to expand the Shenandoah and/or Superior plants; build additional or acquire existing ethanol plants; and/or build additional or acquire existing corn storage facilities. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to secure the funding necessary for these additional projects at reasonable terms, if at all.


Our business is highly impacted by commodity prices, including prices for corn, ethanol and natural gas. Based on recent forward prices of corn and ethanol, we may be operating our plants at low to possibly negative operating margins. If current price levels are sustained, we believe we will have sufficient working capital over the near-term. However, increases in corn or natural gas prices, or decreases in ethanol prices, may result in unprofitable operations at our plants. A sustained period of unprofitable operations may strain our liquidity and make it difficult to maintain compliance with one or both of our financing arrangements. While we may seek additional sources of working capital in response, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to secure this funding if necessary.


Private Offering


On November 14, 2007, we completed a private placement of 1.2 million shares of our common stock to nine accredited investors at a purchase price of $8.10 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million. We expect to use proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.


Shenandoah Loan Agreement


On February 6, 2006, we entered into a Master Loan Agreement, Construction and Term Loan Supplement, Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement, Security Agreement and Real Estate Mortgage with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (individually and collectively, the “Shenandoah Loan Agreement”). A participating interest under the Shenandoah Loan Agreement was transferred to CoBank, ACB. Under the Shenandoah Loan Agreement, the lenders will loan up to $47.0 million to partially finance construction of the Shenandoah plant and to provide funding for working capital purposes. In December 2006, we complied with all conditions precedent and began drawing on the credit line for construction of the plant in Shenandoah after first, as required under the Shenandoah Loan Agreement, spending the equity we had committed to build the Shenandoah plant. The loan is comprised of a $30.0 million amortizing term loan and a $17.0 million revolving term facility.


The Shenandoah Loan Agreement was amended during fiscal 2007 to reflect the current construction costs and schedule for the Shenandoah plant, to modify certain covenants and repayment requirements, to add seasonal borrowing capability of up to $6.3 million, and to reflect changes that had been agreed to as a result of our acquisition of Superior Ethanol. The following summarizes the significant terms of the Shenandoah Loan Agreement as amended.


Loan Commitments and Repayment Terms


·

Term Loan – This loan is available for advances until December 1, 2007. Principal payments are to commence thereafter with $1.2 million due May 20, 2008, and each quarter thereafter with a final maturity on or before May 20, 2014. In addition, for each fiscal year, we are also required to make special payments equal to 65% of the available (if any) free cash flow from operations, not to exceed $2.0 million per year, provided, however, that if such payments would result in a covenant default under the Shenandoah Loan Agreement, the amount of the payments shall be reduced to an amount which would not result in a covenant default. The free cash flow payments are discontinued when the aggregate total received from such payments exceeds $8.0 million.


·

Revolving Term – This loan is available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. Allowable advances under this loan are reduced by $2.4 million each six-month period commencing on the first day of the month beginning approximately six months after repayment of the term loan, but in no event later than November 1, 2014, with the final maturity no later than November 1, 2017.




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·

Statused Revolving Credit Supplement – Effective October 31, 2007, we executed an Amended Master Loan Agreement and Statused Revolving Credit Supplement with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA  (individually and collectively, the “Loan Amendments”) to reflect changes in circumstances as a result of the acquisition of Essex Elevator, Inc. and the anticipated completion of the Superior plant in early 2008. The Loan Amendments set forth a number of changes, including:


·

acknowledged Essex Elevator, Inc. as a subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy ,Inc.;


·

modified affirmative and negative covenants in recognition of subsidiaries;


·

reduced the financial covenant related to the working capital requirement from $5.0 million to $3.0 million through May 31, 2008; thereafter, the working capital requirement will be $6.0 million; and


·

added a statused revolving credit supplement that has a borrowing capacity, based on levels of inventory and accounts receivable, up to $6.3 million during the period commencing on the effective date and ending on January 31, 2008, and in the amount of $4.3 million during the period commencing on February 1, 2008 and ending on July 1, 2008.


Pricing and Fees


·

The loans will bear interest at either the Agent Base Rate (prime) plus 0.00% to 0.50% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR (1, 3 or 6 month) plus 2.85% to 3.35% (each based on a ratio of total equity to total assets).


·

We may, however, elect to pay interest at a fixed interest rate determined by the Lenders.


·

We have incurred origination fees of $372,650, equity in lenders of $2,000 and other fees in the amount of $110,885 through August 31, 2007. Appraisal, inspecting engineer, title insurance and disbursing fees are at our expense.


·

There is an annual administrative fee of $25,000 that began on November 20, 2006.


·

There is an unused commitment fee of 0.50% on the $17.0 million revolving term loan that began on February 1, 2007.


·

In consideration of the Loan Amendments, the Company paid a fee in the amount of $20,000. There is also an unused commitment fee of 3/8 of 1% on the statused revolving credit supplement.  


Availability of Advances, Interest Rates and Fees


Advances are subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions. Advances correlate to budget and construction timeline projections, with verification of progress by a third-party engineer.


Security


As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on personal property and real estate owned by us, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to construction and on-going operations of the plant.  


Summary of Loan Covenants


The Shenandoah Loan Agreement, as amended, contains affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants including:


·

Maintenance of working capital (current assets over current liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of not less than $3.0 million through May 31, 2008 and increasing to $6.0 million thereafter, except that in determining current assets, any amounts available under the Revolving Term Loan (less the amount that would be considered a current liability under GAAP if fully advanced) may be included.  


·

Maintenance of net worth (total assets over total liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of $34.0 million, increasing to $35.5 million effective May 31, 2008, and increasing to $37.5 million at fiscal year ending 2008 and thereafter.  


·

Maintenance of Debt Service Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.5 to 1.0 for fiscal year end 2008 and thereafter. Debt Service Coverage Ratio is defined as (all as calculated for the most current year-end in accordance with GAAP consistently applied): 1) net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization; divided by 2) all current portions of regularly scheduled long-term debt for the prior period (previous fiscal year end).




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·

Restrictions on dividends or other distributions to stockholders of no more than 40% of the profit, net of income taxes for each fiscal year, allowable only where we are expected to remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions. Furthermore, with respect to the fiscal years ending in 2008 and thereafter, an additional distribution may be made to stockholders in excess of the 40% limit for such fiscal year if we have made the required free cash flow payment for such fiscal year, and will thereafter remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions on a pro forma basis net of such potential additional payment. We are currently in compliance with all covenants under the Shenandoah Loan Agreement; however, there can be no assurance that we can remain in compliance with all covenants in the future.


At August 31, 2007, the entire $30.0 million related to the term loan was outstanding, along with $16.6 million on the revolving term loan. At August 31, 2007, we were paying interest on advances outstanding at 8.75% and incurred total interest (including amortization of debt issuance costs) of $639,369 and $1,011,773 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007.  


Superior Loan Agreement


On March 21, 2007, Superior Ethanol, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a Master Loan Agreement, Construction and Term Loan Supplement, Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement, Security Agreement and Real Estate Mortgage with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (individually and collectively, the “Superior Loan Agreement”). A participating interest under the Superior Loan Agreement was transferred to CoBank, ACB. Under the Superior Loan Agreement, the lenders will lend up to $50.0 million to partially finance construction of the Superior plant and to provide funding for working capital purposes. This credit line is available after the required equity has been used for construction of the Superior plant. The loan is comprised of a $40.0 million amortizing term loan and a $10.0 million revolving term facility. The following summarizes the significant terms of the Superior Loan Agreement.


Loan Commitments and Repayment Terms


·

Term Loan – This loan is available for advances until December 31, 2007. Principal payments are to commence thereafter with $1.375 million due July 20, 2008, and each quarter thereafter with a final maturity on or before July 20, 2015. In addition, for each fiscal year, we are also required to make special payments equal to 75% of the available (if any) free cash flow from Superior Ethanol’s operations, provided, however, that if such payments would result in a covenant default under the Superior Loan Agreement, the amount of the payments shall be reduced to an amount which would not result in a covenant default. The free cash flow payments are discontinued when the aggregate total received from such payments exceeds $10.0 million.


·

Revolving Term – This loan is available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. Allowable advances under this loan are reduced by $2.5 million each six-month period commencing on the first day of the month beginning approximately six months after repayment of the term loan, but in no event later than July 1, 2015, with the final maturity no later than July 1, 2017.


Pricing and Fees


·

The loans will bear interest at either Agent Base Rate (prime) minus 0.15% to plus 0.25% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR (1, 3 or 6 month) plus 2.80% to 3.15% (each depending on whether the operations for the preceding fiscal year were profitable or unprofitable).


·

We may, however, elect to pay interest at a fixed interest rate determined by the Lenders.


·

We have incurred origination fees of $445,500, equity in lenders of $2,000 and other fees in the amount of $69,910 through August 31, 2007. Appraisal, inspecting engineer, title insurance and disbursing fees are at our expense.


·

There is an annual administrative fee of $35,000 that begins on November 1, 2007.


·

There is an unused commitment fee of 0.75% on the $10.0 million revolving term loan that begins on November 1, 2007.


Availability of Advances, Interest Rates and Fees


Advances are subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions. Advances correlate to budget and construction timeline projections, with verification of progress by a third-party engineer.




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Security


As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on personal property and real estate owned by Superior Ethanol, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to construction and on-going operations of the plant.  


Summary of Loan Covenants


The Superior Loan Agreement contains affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants including:


·

Maintenance of Superior Ethanol’s working capital (current assets over current liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of not less than $4.5 million at the earlier of commencement of operations or by December 31, 2007 and increasing to $5.0 million effective November 30, 2008, and thereafter, except that in determining current assets, any amounts available under the Revolving Term Loan (less the amount that would be considered a current liability under GAAP if fully advanced) may be included.  


·

Maintenance of Superior Ethanol’s net worth (total assets over total liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of $45.1 million, and increasing to $48.6 million for the fiscal year ending 2008 and thereafter.  


·

Maintenance of Debt Service Coverage Ratio for Superior Ethanol of not less than 1.25 to 1.0 for fiscal year end 2008 and thereafter. Debt Service Coverage Ratio is defined as (all as calculated for the most current year-end in accordance with GAAP consistently applied): 1) net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization; divided by 2) all current portions of regularly scheduled long-term debt for the prior period (previous fiscal year end).


·

Restrictions on dividends or other distributions to Superior Ethanol’s stockholder of no more than 40% of the profit, net of income taxes for each fiscal year allowable only where we are expected to remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions. Furthermore, with respect to the fiscal years ending in 2008 and thereafter, an additional distribution may be made to stockholders in excess of the 40% limit for such fiscal year if we have made the required free cash flow payment for such fiscal year, and will thereafter remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions on a pro forma basis net of said potential additional payment. We are currently in compliance with all covenants under the Superior Loan Agreement; however, there can be no assurance that we can remain in compliance with all covenants in the future.


Government Programs and Grants


In April 2005, the Iowa Department of Economic Development (“IDED”) awarded us a High-Quality Job Creation (“HQJC”) financing incentive comprised of a $300,000 zero-interest loan and a $100,000 forgivable loan (grant) for the Shenandoah project. These IDED funds became available for use by us in March 2006 upon closing of the senior debt financing commitment. Associated with this award are job creation and maintenance covenants, which we believe will be fulfilled. Repayments are due on the $300,000 zero interest loan at $5,000 per month for sixty months, beginning October 1, 2006. In addition, the Shenandoah and Superior projects have been awarded tax incentive packages from the Iowa Department of Economic Development under their HQJC program. The incentive packages include investment income tax credits up to 5% of qualifying expenditures, refunds of certain sales and use taxes paid, and property tax exemptions for all or a portion of the value of certain improvements. To fully qualify for these benefits, we are required, among other things, to create and maintain for a minimum period of time jobs with set levels of compensation and certain minimum benefits in conjunction with the production of value added agricultural products. If we meet the requirements of the awards, we will recognize the financial benefits of the programs in future periods.


The Iowa Department of Transportation, Modal Division, has issued an award specifically for the construction of new spur track and the installation of four turnouts to serve the Shenandoah plant. The award consists of a Railroad Revolving Loan of $154,000 or 7.9% of the eligible project costs (whichever is less) and a grant of $126,000 or 5.9% of the eligible project costs (whichever is less). Total eligible project costs are estimated to be $2.1 million. Advances under the loan/grant are expected to occur in the near future.




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We have entered into a Preliminary Industrial New Jobs Training Agreement with two Iowa community colleges for reimbursement of training costs we incur. Under the agreements, the community colleges will reimburse us for up to $355,000 in training costs at each of the two initial ethanol plant locations. The program is designed to assist new businesses in the state of Iowa with costs associated with educating and training new employees. The program funds are generated through the sale of training certificates (i.e. bonds) underwritten and sold by agents of the Community College Economic Development Group. The bonds are repaid with funds submitted by us for Iowa income tax withholding related to payroll on the new jobs created. In the event Iowa income tax withholding related to payroll on the new jobs created is insufficient to repay the bonds, we are obligated to pay any shortfall that may exist.


Contractual Obligations


Our contractual obligations as of August 31, 2007 were as follows:


 

 

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

 


Total

 

Less than 1 year

 


1-3 years

 


3-5 years

 

More than 5 years

Long-term debt obligations (1)

$

46,884,596

$

2,460,000

$

7,320,000

$

7,265,000

$

29,839,596

Operating lease obligations (2)

 

8,379,648

 

911,602

 

2,521,646

 

2,473,200

 

2,473,200

Purchase obligations (3)

 

84,148,173

 

60,686,567

 

7,909,606

 

7,776,000

 

7,776,000

Total

$

139,412,417

$

64,058,169

$

17,751,252

$

17,514,200

$

40,088,796


(1)

Includes current portion of long-term debt, and excludes $100,000 from the Iowa Department of Economic Development that is expected to be recognized as a non-refundable grant.

(2)   Operating lease costs are for rail cars and office space.

(3)   Includes construction agreements and purchase orders with Fagan, Agra Industries and various other contractors for construction of the Shenandoah and Superior plants. Also includes estimated minimum contractual obligations for RPMG and forward corn purchase contracts.


GPRE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


We are subject to market risks concerning our long-term debt, future prices of corn, natural gas, ethanol and distillers grains. From time to time, we may purchase corn futures and options to hedge a portion of the corn we anticipate we will need.  In addition, we have contracted for future physical delivery of corn. We are exposed to the full impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. At this time, we do not expect to have exposure to foreign currency risk as we expect to conduct all of our business in U.S. dollars.


Interest Rate Risk


We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from holding term and revolving loans that bear variable interest rates. Specifically we have $46,639,596 outstanding in variable rate, long-term debt as of August 31, 2007. The specifics of each note are discussed in greater detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


Commodity Price Risk


We produce ethanol and distillers grains from corn and our business is sensitive to changes in the prices of each of these commodities. The price of corn is subject to fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather; corn planted and harvested acreage; changes in national and global supply and demand; and government programs and policies. We use natural gas in the ethanol production process and, as a result, our business is also sensitive to changes in the price of natural gas. The price of natural gas is influenced by such weather factors as extreme heat or cold in the summer and winter, or other natural events like hurricanes in the spring, summer and fall. Other natural gas price factors include North American exploration and production, and the amount of natural gas in underground storage during both the injection and withdrawal seasons. Ethanol prices are sensitive to world crude-oil supply and demand; crude-oil refining capacity and utilization; government regulation; and consumer demand for alternative fuels. Distillers grains prices are sensitive to various demand factors such as numbers of livestock on feed, prices for feed alternatives, and supply factors, primarily production by ethanol plants and other sources.




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We will attempt to reduce the market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of corn and natural gas by employing a variety of risk management and hedging strategies. Strategies include the use of derivative financial instruments such as futures and options executed on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) and/or the New York Mercantile Exchange, as well as the daily management of our physical corn and natural gas procurement relative to plant requirements for each commodity.  The management of our physical corn procurement may incorporate the use of forward fixed-price contracts and basis contracts.


A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our exposure to ethanol, corn, distillers grains and natural gas price risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in pre-tax income resulting from hypothetical 10% adverse changes in prices of our expected corn and natural gas requirements, and ethanol and Distillers grains output for a one-year period from August 31, 2007. This analysis excludes the impact of risk management activities that result from our use of fixed-price purchase and sale contracts and derivatives. The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:


Commodity

 

Estimated Total Volume
Requirements for the Next
12 Months 

 

Unit of Measure

 

Approximate
Adverse Change to
Income

 

Ethanol

 

82,835,000

 

Gallons

 

$

13,732,000

 

Corn

 

29,584,000

 

Bushels

 

$

9,576,000

 

Distillers grains

 

     270,000

 

Tons

 

$

2,832,000

 

Natural Gas

 

  2,816,000

 

MMBTU

 

$

2,041,000

 


At August 31, 2007, approximately 13% of our estimated corn usage for the next 12 months was subject to fixed-price contracts. This included fixed-price future-delivery contracts for approximately 4.0 million bushels. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of corn shown above would be reduced by approximately $1,278,000.


At August 31, 2007, approximately 7% of our forecasted ethanol production during the next 12 months has been sold by our ethanol marketer under fixed-price contracts. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of ethanol shown above would be reduced by approximately $904,000.


At August 31, 2007, we had not entered into any fixed-price sales contracts for distillers grains.


At August 31, 2007, approximately 6% of our forecasted natural gas requirements for the next 12 months have been purchased under fixed-price contracts. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of natural gas shown above would be reduced by approximately $130,000.



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GLC BUSINESS


Great Lakes Cooperative (“GLC”) is an Iowa cooperative association that was created in 2001 by the merger of two predecessor cooperatives, Superior Cooperative Elevator, and Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company. It is a customer-focused business, which operates four lines of business: bulk grain, agronomy, livestock feed and petroleum. It has facilities in seven communities in northwestern Iowa.


The Grain Division buys bulk grain, primarily corn, soybeans and oats from area producers and provides grain services (e.g., grain drying and storage) to those producers. The grain is then sold to grain processing companies and area livestock producers. The Petroleum Division sells diesel, soydiesel, gasoline (including E10 and E85), and propane, primarily to farmers and consumers who buy at retail. The Feed Division sells feed to area farmers and integrators for the production of swine, cattle and poultry in the area. The Agronomy Division sells NH3, dry and liquid agricultural nutrients and agricultural inputs (nutrients, chemicals, seed and supplies) and provides application services to area producers.


GLC has historically operated under a cooperative operating philosophy that has attempted to achieve sufficient profitability to sustain operations and debt service, while maximizing the level of service to its members (who are also its owners). GLC’s management believes that this cooperative operating philosophy provides a smaller margin for error that tends to result in disappointing financial results from local operational earnings when there are unforeseen changes in relevant markets.


Grain Division


The Grain Division operates seven grain elevators in Iowa, located at Everly, Greenville, Gruver, Langdon, Milford, Spencer and Superior. It dries and stores grain owned by its customers at these elevators, purchases grain from its customers, stores grain that it has purchased, and merchandises grain to large lot commercial purchasers. The principal grains purchased, stored and sold by GLC are yellow corn, soybeans and oats. GLC is able to store in its facilities approximately 14.7 million bushels of grain at one time. Grain merchandised by GLC is grown in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota, which is delivered to GLC’s elevators by truck. GLC ships grain from its elevators by both truck and rail.


GLC makes grain purchases at prices referenced to Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) quotations. GLC competes for the purchase of grain with similar grain merchandisers, grain processors, regional cooperatives and feed mill operators. Because GLC generally buys in smaller lots, its competition is generally local in scope, although there are some large regional grain handling facilities in the area. Some of these competitors are significantly larger than GLC.


GLC sells grain to grain processors, feed mill operators, and exporters located on the Gulf of Mexico or east coast. Grain sales are made on a negotiated basis by GLC’s merchandising staff generally at prices referenced to CBOT quotations.


GLC’s grain business may be affected by the grain supply (both crop quality and quantity) in its principal growing area, government regulations and policies, conditions in the shipping and rail industries and commodity price levels. See “GLC Business – Government Regulation.” The grain business is seasonal, coinciding with the harvest of the principal grains purchased and sold by GLC.


Fixed price purchase and sale commitments for grain and grain held in inventory expose GLC to risks related to adverse changes in market prices. GLC attempts to manage these risks by hedging fixed-price purchase and sale contracts and inventory through the use of futures and option contracts on the CBOT. The CBOT is a regulated commodity futures exchange that maintains futures markets for the grains merchandised by GLC.  Futures prices are primarily dependent on worldwide supply and demand of the applicable commodity.


GLC’s hedging program is designed to reduce the risk of changing commodity prices. In that regard, hedging transactions also limit potential gains from further changes in market prices. GLC’s profitability is primarily derived from margins on grain sold, and revenues generated from other merchandising activities with its customers (including drying and storage income), not from hedging transactions. GLC has policies that specify the key controls over its hedging program. These policies include description of the hedging programs, mandatory review of positions by key management outside of the trading function on a biweekly basis, daily position limits, daily review and reconciliation, modeling of positions for changes in market conditions and other internal controls.




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GLC offers forward contracts to its customers that allow them to sell their grain before it is delivered. If not sold before delivery, GLC requires that its customers either sell the grain or store it under a warehouse receipt within ten days of delivery to an elevator. GLC’s purchases and sales of grain at fixed prices are aggregated and hedged with the futures contracts on the CBOT as soon as practicable. GLC must make an initial margin deposit with its commodities broker when it enters into a futures or options contract. The amount of the margin deposit is set by the CBOT and varies by commodity. If the market price of a futures contract moves in a direction that is adverse to GLC’s futures position, the CBOT requires additional margin deposits. Subsequent price changes could require additional margin deposits or result in the return of margin deposits by GLC’s commodities broker. Significant increases in market prices, such as those that occur when weather conditions are unfavorable for extended periods or when increases in demand occur, can affect GLC’s liquidity. GLC maintains short-term lines of credit for this purpose. GLC may utilizes CBOT option contracts to limit its exposure to potential required margin deposits in the event of a rapidly rising market.


GLC competes for the purchase of grain with other local grain merchants, and with local grain processors and feed mills that buy grain directly from farmers. Competition is based primarily on price, service and reliability. GLC competes for the sale of grain with other local grain merchants for markets accessed by truck delivery, and it competes for the sale of grain to more distant markets with other grain merchants that can ship on the same rail lines used by GLC. GLC sells approximately 90% of its grain under forward contracts that call for future delivery.


GLC merchandized approximately 18.0 million bushels of corn and 6.1 million bushels of soybeans during its 2007 fiscal year.


The projected growth of the ethanol industry is expected to have a significant impact on GLC’s grain business. The operation of ethanol plants that buy corn directly from farmers who have historically sold their grain to GLC is expected to reduce the amount of grain marketed by GLC, which would reduce operating income. If GLC would be able to enter into contracts to originate grain for one or more ethanol plants, this could offset part of the loss of revenue from the reduction in corn volume marketed to traditional sources.


Agronomy Division


GLC’s Agronomy Division operates agronomy centers in Everly and Superior, Iowa. These agronomy centers purchase, store and sell agricultural fertilizer and chemicals, seeds and supplies to the farmer, as well as providing custom application services for fertilizer and chemicals.


GLC’s Agronomy Division purchases, stores, formulates, manufactures and sells NH3, dry and liquid fertilizer for farmers; provides warehousing and services to customers, and distributes chemical, seeds and various farm supplies. The major fertilizer ingredients sold by GLC are nitrogen, lime, phosphate and potash. The storage capacity of GLC’s fertilizer facilities are 11,000 tons of dry fertilizers and approximately four million gallons of liquid fertilizers.


GLC’s market area for its plant nutrient wholesale business includes northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota, especially near GLC’s agronomy centers. Customers for GLC’s fertilizer products are principally farmer-producers. Sales of agricultural fertilizer products are heaviest in the spring and fall.


In its agronomy businesses, GLC competes with regional and local cooperatives, fertilizer manufacturers, multi-state retail/wholesale chain store organizations and other independent wholesalers of agricultural products. Competition in the agricultural products business of GLC is based principally on price, location and service.


The projected growth of the ethanol industry may increase the acres planted in corn and reduce the plantings of other crops. GLC’s Agronomy Division may experience increased operating income from the resulting increase in demand for nitrogen, phosphates and potassium, since corn is more dependent on these fertilizer products than other grains.


Petroleum Division


GLC’s Petroleum Division purchases, stores, sells and delivers diesel, soydiesel, gasoline (including E10 and E85), and propane to area farmers, trucking firms and consumers. It also sells some related equipment. The customers are generally located in the areas in which GLC’s operations are located. The Petroleum Division operates storage facilities with the capacity to store approximately 457,400 gallons of refined fuels and 177,600 gallons of propane.


The Petroleum Division operates bulk refined petroleum storage facilities in Everly, Spencer and Superior, bulk propane storage facilities in Everly, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Superior, and cardtrol or keytrol retail sales facilities in Everly, Greenville, Gruver, Langdon, Milford, Royal, Spencer and Superior. It primarily sells to customers located near its facilities.




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There are three primary customers groups within the division: (1) fuel sold for production, harvest and drying of grain crops and the production of livestock, (2) fuel for residential heating, and (3) fuel for transportation (both to consumers and bulk sales to the trucking industry). The sales are seasonal, with the heaviest sales in the fall and spring. GLC competes for bulk fuel delivery business primarily with local family-owned jobbers and other cooperatives, and it competes for consumer sales with large regional and nationally owned retail stations.


Feed Division


GLC’s Feed Division purchases, stores, formulates and sells feed, feed products and feed services to producers and large integrators in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. The feed is primarily for the production of swine, beef and poultry.


Feed is produced in two feed mills, with 95% of production at the Everly feed mill and the remainder at the Spencer feed mill. Everly feed production consists of grinding, mixing, pelleting and liquid feed formulation. Spencer production is limited to grinding and mixing of various specialty feed mixes, primarily for beef. GLC also delivers bulk feed to livestock production facilities.


Sales are generally on a year-round basis, without large seasonal swings in sales. Sale volumes vary over time based on the profitability of the types of livestock raised in GLC’s trade territory.  Competition consists of other cooperatives, private feed companies and large integrator-owned feed mills.  


The projected growth of the ethanol industry benefit from providing grain origination services and ethanol and distillers dried grain marketing services to the ethanol industry.


Employees


At August 31, 2007 GLC had 94 full-time and 8 part-time or seasonal employees. None of GLC’s employees are unionized. GLC believes it maintains good relationships with its employees.


Government Regulation


Grain sold by GLC must conform to official grade standards imposed under a federal system of grain grading and inspection administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The production levels, markets and prices of the grains that GLC merchandises are materially affected by United States government programs, which include the acreage controls and price support programs of the USDA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has developed bioterrorism prevention regulations for food facilities, which require that GLC register its grain operations with the FDA, provide prior notice of any imports of food or other agricultural commodities coming into the United States, and maintain records to be made available upon request that identify the immediate previous sources and immediate subsequent recipients of our grain commodities.


GLC, like other companies engaged in similar businesses, is subject to a multitude of federal, state and local environmental protection laws and regulations including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, pesticides and hazardous materials. The provisions of these various regulations could require modifications of GLC’s existing plant and processing facilities, and could restrict the expansion of future facilities or significantly increase the cost of their operations.




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GLC MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Forward Looking Statements


The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully consider these risks and factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors.” In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and GLC undertakes no obligation, other than any imposed by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.


Overview


Because of GLC’s significant capital investment in grain assets, its financial success rests heavily on obtaining favorable gross margins from marketing 18 to 23 million bushels of corn each year. Expansion of the ethanol industry threatens both the average gross margin per bushel realized and the volume of corn marketed. A substantial reduction in either or both of these factors would adversely affect GLC’s continued operations.


Grain Division


As ethanol producers continue to build facilities in GLC’s market area, dramatic changes may occur in its markets. Four ethanol plants currently under construction in Hartley and Superior, Iowa and Welcome and Fairmont, Minnesota are expected to increase corn consumption in local ethanol plants by approximately 126 million bushels from approximately 80 million bushels currently. Although GLC is a leader in agronomy, petroleum and feed, it is still highly dependent on the grain business for its overall profitability. If the merger with GPRE does not occur, GLC may experience declining market share in its grain business because of the increased competition from ethanol producers in grain purchasing. It is impossible to predict the extent of the market share decline that may occur, but any reduction in GLC’s grain volume would be difficult to overcome. GLC’s significant investment in grain assets and the substantial portion of its operating costs that are fixed (i.e. not subject to variation based on volume levels) means that reduced grain volumes would directly and substantially reduce profitability. GLC believes its margins may also be adversely affected in such a highly competitive market. Operationally, GLC may be required to reduce its hours of operations, particularly at some of its grain receiving facilities in the non- harvest season, to reduce costs. GLC believes these competitive changes will continue, potentially resulting in a smaller and smaller margin of error in running GLC profitably. If it is not responsive to these changes, GLC believes it may negatively affect its ability to address the needs of its customers and the value of future distributions payable to members or their estates.


GLC will strive to build its trading operations, market corn to or for the ethanol plants, and cost-effectively increase the level of service it offers at its elevators in order to increase its traditional grain business. While ethanol will impact the competitive nature of the business in our trade area, GLC will strive to capitalize on the opportunities that may arise out of this growth in demand. Increased demand often causes increased price volatility, which may create market opportunities in relation to local basis. GLC will also look for opportunities to contract to procure and deliver the corn needed by one or more end-users (ethanol plants, livestock producers and traditional processors) located within and near GLC’s trade territory.


Agronomy Division


Increases in production costs, primarily in the form of nutrients, energy and seed, has adversely affected the customers of the Agronomy Division in recent years. This resulted in a reduction of agricultural plant nutrient volumes for GLC. However, the increasing demand for corn utilized in ethanol production is expected to have a positive impact on this division in the future, as it may result in increased acres planted in corn and reduced plantings of other crops. GLC’s Agronomy Division may experience increased operating income from the resulting increase in demand for nitrogen, phosphates and potassium, since corn is more dependent on these fertilizer products than other grains. Many industry analysts are predicting that increased corn prices will result in an increase in the corn acreage. This was supported by strong demand for nutrient inputs in the fall of 2007.




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GLC will strive to continue to grow its market share in its core region, as well as strengthen its geographic coverage by expanding into new territories. GLC is able to store a large portion of its annual fertilizer needs, allowing it to take advantage of early inventory pricing opportunities.


Chemical sales continue to decline due to the transition of corn production to seeds that can be treated with glyphos (best known under the trade name of “Round Up”). The sale of glyphos products has lower sales margin than competing pesticides. This is adversely affecting the profitability of the chemical sales department of the Agronomy Division.


Petroleum Division


Increased price volatility in wholesale petroleum markets is making it more difficult for the Petroleum Division to maintain consistent gross margins, due to large and sometimes extreme swings in the value of inventory that is eventually sold to customers at spot prices. The Petroleum Division also faces frequent periods during which it is unable to purchase truckloads of petroleum products due to supply interruptions. These two factors often require the Petroleum Division to buy inventory when it is available, rather than when the price is low or additional inventory is needed. GLC believes that although it has thus far been successful in handling this inventory management issue, it continues to present a risk to gross margins in the future.


Gross margins have shrunk in proportion to gross sales, which makes it increasingly difficult to absorb operating shrink, credit losses from sales through GLC’s credit program, and the merchant discount costs associated with sales through national credit card brands. However, the Petroleum Division has recently succeeded in being profitable and it is well positioned to compete in the future with adequate storage and late model delivery equipment.


Feed Division


GLC has historically not pursued sales to livestock integrators due to the low gross margins on such sales. GLC has instead relied on sales to traditional family farm livestock producers who are declining in number, which has reduced the volume of feed sales. As a result, the Feed Division has not been profitable for many years.


As the portion of feed purchases by integrators has continued to increase, GLC has recently been attempting to sell feed to integrators to maintain the volume at its feed mills. Relationships with integrators are hard to develop after they have already established them with other feed companies. GLC has been exploring many avenues of gaining the integrator business necessary to increase utilization of its feed mills. GLC needs additional feed volume to cover overhead in its modern but under-utilized feed mill in Everly. GLC hopes to develop sufficient integrator business by the end of 2007 for the Feed Division to return to profitability, but there is no assurance that it will succeed.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


This disclosure is based upon GLC’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires that GLC make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. GLC bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances. GLC continually evaluates the appropriateness of estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The following key accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.


Property and Equipment


Land, buildings and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation for plant and equipment has been provided primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are currently 3-40 years.   Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for new facilities and those that increase the useful lives of the buildings and equipment are capitalized. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and gains or losses on the dispositions are recognized in earnings. GLC periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of plant and equipment.




93



Impairment of long-lived assets


GLC’s long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment and acquired intangible assets. Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. An estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the plant and equipment is used to measure the recovery of the asset’s carrying value. When required, impairment losses on assets to be held or used are recognized based on the fair value of the asset, and long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less selling costs.


Hedging and derivative financial instruments


GLC generally follows a policy of hedging its grain transactions to protect gains and minimize losses due to market fluctuations. Gains and losses from these hedge transactions are reflected in the sales of the respective commodity. GLC has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. They are used to manage well-defined commodity price risks. GLC may use futures, forward, option and swap contracts to reduce the volatility of commodities. These contracts permit final settlement by delivery of the specified commodity. These contracts are not designated as hedges under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” These contracts are marked to market each month and any unrealized gains or losses are recognized in earnings.


Inventory valuations


Grain inventories are valued on the basis of market prices with appropriate adjustment for freight, test weights, discounts and other differentials, including a provision for gains (losses) on future sales and purchase commitments. Merchandise and petroleum products inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out method, or market price.


Accounting for Income Taxes


Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowances is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management’s evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets must consider positive and negative evidence, and the weight given to the potential effects of such positive and negative evidence is based on the extent to which it can be objectively verified


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


GLC does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In February, 2007 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand the use of fair market value measurement, which is consistent with long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. GLC’s management does not expect the adoption of this statement to be significant to its consolidated financial statements.




94



Results of Operations


Years Ended August 31, 2007 compared to 2006


The financial performance of GLC improved significantly in fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006. Net savings after income taxes improved from a loss of $571,148 to a profit of $1,728,185, an increase of $2,299,333.


Revenues increased $34,766,602 (31.3%) from fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2007, primarily due to an increase in grain revenues. Grain volume increased by 38,877 bushels, but the average selling price for corn increased from $1.77 to $3.22, and for soybeans the selling price increase was from $5.70 to $6.69. This resulted in an increase in grain sales revenue of $35,634,746. However, grain revenue from grain storage, price later charges and drying decreased by $686,025. Agronomy revenues increased by $694,615, primarily due to an increase in fertilizer sales and an increase in agronomy services revenues, including soil testing and custom applications. Fertilizer sales and service revenue increases were the result of a 12% increase in volume accompanied by small price increases. Petroleum revenues increased by $249,365 on the strength of an increase of 1.1% in volume and an increase in refined petroleum and propane prices. Feed revenues decreased $1,207,906 from 2006 to 2007 because of a reduction in the number of conventional customers feeding livestock.  


Total gross revenue increased by $3,421,801. Marketing margins in grain increased from $1,374,554 to $5,100,628, a change of $3,726,074. While the volume of grain only changed by 38,877 bushels, the marketing margins increased from 5.69 cents per bushel to 21.08 cents per bushel because the state of the market in fiscal year 2007 allowed higher market carries to be captured. The overall grain margin was reduced by a decline in storage revenues of $686,025, which resulted in total grain margins of $3,040,049. Agronomy margins increased $339,515 because of the increase in sales volume of 12%. Petroleum margins were up $217,978 on sales increases of 98,691 gallons and an increase of 2.12 cents in sales margins. Feed margins declined, on reduced sales and reduced selling margins, $331,927. Other merchandise and services gross margins increased by $156,186 because of higher markups and stronger inventory control.


Operating expenses increased by $727,440. Interest on operating debt increased $886,123 due to increased borrowings to carry more expensive grain inventory. On August 31, 2006 the cost of corn and soybeans was $1.84 and $4.82 respectively; by August 31, 2007 the costs were $3.015 and $7.92. Dryer fuel costs declined by $245,659 because the crop was relatively dry when harvested. Computer expense increased by $89,300 due to the adoption of new software and the upgrading of hardware, and professional fees increased by $69,736 in preparation for the merger.


Patronage dividend income increased by $635,375, primarily because of increases in patronage dividends from CHS, Inc. and Ag Processing, Inc. of $596,467 and $187,166, respectively. Patronage dividends are earned on the basis of business done with a cooperative.


Income taxes changed from a benefit of $272,177 to an expense of $801,404, or a total change of $1,073,581. In 2006, GLC had a pre-tax loss of $843,325, resulting in tax benefits which were primarily used in tax carrybacks to prior years. For the year ended August 31, 2007, GLC elected not to distribute its earnings to cooperative members, resulting in additional state and federal income tax expense.


Minority Interest – GLC has a majority interest in Great Lakes Grain Storage, LLC. The amount of Great Lakes Grain Storage, LLC’s loss attributable to minority interests is $19,658.


Years Ended August 31, 2006 compared to 2005


The financial performance of GLC decreased significantly in fiscal year 2006 compared to fiscal year 2005. Net savings after income taxes decreased from a profit of $1,556,135 to a loss of $571,148, a decrease of $2,127,283.




95



Revenues decreased $8,790,436 (7.7%) from fiscal year 2005 to fiscal year 2006 primarily due to a decrease in grain revenues. Grain volume decreased by 3,886,307 bushels, and the average selling price for corn decreased from $1.83 to $1.77, and for soybeans the selling price decrease was from $5.88 to $5.70. This resulted in a decrease in grain sales revenue of $10,161,209. Revenue from grain storage, price later charges and drying decreased by $646,364. Total agronomy revenues decreased by $2,303,521. Agronomy sales revenues decreased by $2,019,528 due to a decrease in fertilizer sales of $213,191, a decrease in chemical sales of $1,631,911, and decreased seed sales of $174,426. Agronomy services revenue, soil testing and custom application, decreased by $283,993. Fertilizer sales and service decreases were the result of a 17.7% decrease in volume accompanied by a 15% price increase. Chemical sales declined primarily as a result of generic products replacing brand name products at reduced prices along with some loss in volume. Seed sales decreased because a change of management during the sales season disrupted the focus of sales efforts. Petroleum revenues increased by $3,257,773 due to large increases in refined petroleum and propane prices, offset by a 9% decrease in volumes. Feed revenues increased $89,996 from 2005 to 2006. Miscellaneous merchandise and service revenues accounted for a $958,781 decrease in revenues from fiscal year 2005 to fiscal year 2006 resulting from a gain on the sale of the Hartley grain facility of $1,270,000.


Total gross revenue decreased by $4,083,094. Marketing margins in grain decreased from $2,729,837 to $1,374,554, a change of $1,355,283. While the volume of grain changed by 3,886,307 bushels, the marketing margins decreased from 9.73 cents per bushel to 5.69 cents per bushel because of the state of the market. Low prices slowed the pace at which producers sold grain to GLC, and resulted in lower carry in the market. These factors, along with railroad bottlenecks, resulted in lower margins. The overall grain margin was increased by greater storage revenues of $730,766, which resulted in total grain margins of $2,105,320. Agronomy margins decreased $1,123,223 because of the decrease in sales volume of 17.7%. Petroleum margins were up $293,124 on sales decreases of 962,048 gallons and an increase of 4.54 cents in sales margins. The decrease in petroleum gallons was primarily propane which is a seasonal market driven by corn-drying demand. Harvested corn was much dryer in 2006 than in 2005, resulting in a 29% decline in propane gallons. Feed margins declined, on slightly higher sales and reduced selling margins, by $74,448.


Operating expenses decreased by $451,554. Interest on operating debt increased $165,102 due to higher interest rates. Dryer fuel costs declined by $575,400 because the crop was much dryer when harvested. Repairs and maintenance decreased by $401,934 due to tighter cost controls and implementing a company wide purchase order system.


Patronage dividend income increased by $460,975, primarily because of increases in patronage dividends from CHS, Inc. and CoBank of $366,994 and $194,384, respectively. Patronage dividends are earned on the basis of business done with a cooperative.


Income taxes decreased to a benefit of $272,177 from an expense of $609,853, or a total change of $882,030. GLC had a pre-tax loss of $843,325 in fiscal year 2006, resulting in tax benefits, compared to a pretax profit of $2,165,988 in fiscal year 2005.  


Liquidity and Capital Resources


On August 31, 2007, GLC had $383,258 in cash, $397,946 in marketable securities, and $16,263,649 available under committed loan agreements (subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions). GLC anticipates using substantially all of these funds for normal business operations which would include the buying and selling of grain and farm supplies, and the normal replacement of equipment used in supplying services to customers. GLC also intends to increase its committed loan agreement by $20.0 million because of higher prices of farm commodities (corn and soybeans) at harvest. This additional line of credit was secured on October 16, 2007.


GLC’s business is highly impacted by the prices of commodities, including corn, soybeans, petroleum, and fertilizers. As prices for these products continues to be at historically high levels, the costs to carry this inventory also increase, most noticeably interest and insurance costs. However, GLC’s management believes that they have sufficient working capital to support these increased costs.


Loan Agreement


On January 3, 2005, GLC entered into a Master Loan Agreement with CoBank, ACB. Under the agreement, CoBank advanced $8.1 million on a revolving term facility and a revolving credit facility not exceeding $30.0 million. The revolving term facility has been fully advanced and at August 31, 2007, the balance was $6.3 million. The revolving credit facility has been renewed annually. At August 31, 2007 the balance extended on this facility was approximately $13.7 million. On October 16, 2007, the revolving credit facility limit was increased to $50.0 million. These loans are secured by a first mortgage lien covering the real property owned by GLC, together with a security agreement under the Uniform Commercial Code covering substantially all personal property owned by GLC.




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Loan Commitments and Repayment Terms


·

Revolving Term Loan – This loan is committed to November 21, 2013. Principal payments are $900,000 due annually on November 20.


·

Revolving Credit Facility – This facility is committed to March 1, 2008, or such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.


Pricing and Fees


·

Revolving Term Loan – $2.7 million bears interest at 1/20 of 1% below the rate of interest established by CoBank as its base rate. The remaining $3.6 million, in $900,000 increments, bears interest at fixed rates that were determined by CoBank, with outstanding rates ranging from 7.39% to 7.49%.  


·

Revolving Credit Facilty – This facility bears interest at 1/4 of 1% below the rate of interest established by CoBank as its base rate. There is an unused commitment fee of 1/8 of 1% on the average daily unused portion of the commitment.  


·

Interest and fees are payable monthly.


Availability of Advances


Advances are subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions.


Summary of Loan Covenants


The Master Loan Agreement contains affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants including:


·

Maintenance of working capital (current assets over current liabilities) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied of not less than $5.0 million at the end of each fiscal year and $4.0 million at the end of each month.


·

GLC will not create, incur, assume or allow to exist any indebtedness or liability for borrowed money, with the exception of debt to CoBank, accounts payable, and current operating liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business.


·

GLC will not assume any contingent liabilities with the exception of limited guarantees of customer accounts with Cooperative Credit Company, which will not exceed $220,000.


·

GLC will provide to CoBank audited financial statements no later than 90 days following the end of the fiscal year, and will provide monthly interim statements within 45 days of the end of each month.


GLC was in compliance with its loan covenants during all periods presented.


Contractual Obligations


GLC’s contractual obligations as of August 31, 2007 were as follows:


 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Less than

 

 

 

 

 

More than

Contractual Obligations

 Total

 

1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

5 years

Long-term debt obligations

 $ 6,300,000

 

 $  900,000

 

 $1,800,000

 

 $1,800,000

 

 $1,800,000

Grain purchase contracts

29,584,514

 

26,432,624

 

3,151,890

 

-

 

-

Purchase obligations

       217,886

 

217,886

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

$36,102,400

 

$27,550,510

 

 $4,951,890

 

$1,800,000

 

$1,800,000



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GLC QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


GLC is subject to market risks concerning its long-term debt and future prices of corn, soybeans and fertilizers. GLC purchases corn and soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade as a hedge against prices in future periods; however, GLC is at risk from changes in the basis (the difference between the CBOT prices and local cash prices) of these commodities. To reduce that risk, GLC contracts cash sales to customers for future time periods. GLC is also exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. At this time, GLC does not expect to have exposure to foreign currency risk as it expects to conduct all of its business in U.S. dollars.


Interest Rate Risk


GLC is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from holding term and revolving loans that bear variable interest rates. Specifically, GLC has $2.7 million outstanding in variable rate long-term debt and $13.7 million in variable rate seasonal line of credit as of August 31, 2007. The specifics of each note are discussed in greater detail in “GLC Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”  


Commodity Price Risk


GLC purchases corn and soybeans from local producers. The majority of these commodities are purchased during the fall harvest. GLC dries and stores the grain to sell in future periods. The price of these commodities is subject to fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather; corn and soybeans planted and harvested acreage; changes in national and global supply and demand; and government programs and policies.  


GLC attempts to reduce the market risk associated with the fluctuations in the price of corn and soybeans by employing a variety of risk management and hedging strategies. GLC purchases corn and soybean futures on the CBOT to hedge the futures price of these commodities; however, this does not mitigate the risk of basis change, i.e. the difference between the CBOT price and the actual cash price that is paid at a GLC location. To reduce basis risk, GLC locks in the selling price of a portion of the commodities by forward contracting to the ultimate user.   


GLC is subject to market risk on all of its fertilizer products. Fertilizer prices are directly affected by petroleum and natural gas prices, which are direct inputs into the manufacturing of these products. At August 31, 2007, GLC had $6.5 million in fertilizer inventories. There are no suitable derivative instruments available to guard against market risk; however, GLC attempts to pass on changes in market prices and enter into forward contract sales of these products to its customers. This is traditionally done after harvest, and at August 31, 2007, there was a negligible amount of fertilizer product forward contracted.


A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate GLC’s exposure to corn and soybean basis risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in pre-tax income resulting from hypothetical 10% adverse changes in basis in corn and soybeans held for sale for a one-year period from August 31, 2007. This analysis excludes the impact of risk management activities that result from our use of fixed-price purchase and sales contracts. The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:


 

Estimated Total Volume

 

Approximate

 

Requirements for the Next

Unit of

Adverse Change to

Commodity

12 Months

Measure

Income

 

 

 

 

Corn

19,500,000

Bushels

$ 585,000

Soybeans

5,500,000

Bushels

$ 165,000


As of August 31, 2007, approximately 11% of GLC’s estimated corn sales for the next 12 months were subject to fixed-price forward contracts, which would reduce the adverse change to income in the table above by approximately $67,000. A negligible percentage of soybean sales were subject to fixed-price forward contracts at August 31, 2007.


Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures


GLC’s financial records have been audited for the last four fiscal years by Gardiner Thomson, Certified Public Accountants, Des Moines, Iowa. GLC’s financial records for the 2003 fiscal year was audited by Burdorf, Parrott and Associates, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, Emmetsburg, Iowa. GLC does not have any disagreements with its current or former auditor concerning the manner in which GLC maintains its accounting records.



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GLC PRINCIPAL MEMBERS


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of GLC common stock as of December 21, 2007 for: (i) each person or entity who is known by GLC to beneficially own more than five percent of its common stock, (ii) each of its directors, (iii) each of its named executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Each share is entitled to one vote.


Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner (1)

Shares Beneficially Owned

Percentage

of Total

Position

 

 

 

 

Kevin Adolf

1

*

President

Darryl Hansen

1

*

Vice President

Bryan Bailey

1

*

Secretary/Treasurer

Jeff Jones

1

*

Director

Tom Ross

1

*

Director

Stan Larson

1

*

Director

Jeff Pearson

1

*

Director

Rod Will

1

*

Director

Gordon Juhl

1

*

Director

Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (9 persons)

9

*

 


* Less than 1%.


________________


(1)

Except where otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is deemed to be the same address as GLC.




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EXPERTS


The consolidated balance sheets of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. as of November 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended November 30, 2006 and for the period from June 29, 2004 (Inception) through November 30, 2006 included in this registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report of L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


The consolidated balance sheets of Great Lakes Cooperative and Subsidiary, Everly, Iowa, as of August 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of operations, members' equity and cash flows for the years ended August 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 appearing in this registration statement have been audited by Gardiner Thomsen, Des Moines, Iowa, an independent public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


LEGAL MATTERS


The validity of the shares of GPRE common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for GPRE by Blackburn & Stoll, LC, Salt Lake City, Utah. Certain tax matters will be passed upon for GLC by Nyemaster Goode West Hansell & O’Brien PC, Des Moines, Iowa.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION


GPRE files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy materials that GPRE has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.

     

GPRE common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “GPRE” and its Securities and Exchange Commission filings can also be read at the following address:  NASDAQ Operations, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

 

GPRE’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet website at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




100



INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

 


Audited Annual Financial Statements

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-2

Independent Registered Public Accounts Report on Internal Controls

 

F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2006 and 2005

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-9


Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2007 and November 30, 2006

 

F-28

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007 and 2006

 

F-29

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended August 31, 2007

 

F-30

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended August 31, 2007 and 2006

 

F-31

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-33


GREAT LAKE COOPERATIVE

 

 


Audited Annual Financial Statements

 

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

F-45

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2007 and 2006

 

F-46

Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended August 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

F-48

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended August 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

F-49

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

F-51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-53

 




F-1










REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS





To the Board of Directors and

Stockholders of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.


We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. as of November 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended November 30, 2006 and for the period from June 29, 2004 (Inception) through November 30, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. as of November 30, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended November 30, 2006 and for the period from June 29, 2004 (Inception) through November 30, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.



/s/ L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC



L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC

Las Vegas, Nevada

February 12, 2007



F-2






To the Board of Directors and

Stockholders of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.


We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.


We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


In our opinion, management’s assessment that Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also in our opinion, Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).


We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., and our report dated February 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion.



/s/ L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC


L.L. Bradford & Company, LLC

Las Vegas, Nevada

February 12, 2007




F-3




GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 November 30,

 November 30,

 

 

 

2006

2005

Current Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $   43,088,464

 $     5,794,936

 

Securities

     -

     28,064,700

 

Interest receivable

183,611

-

 

Prepaid expenses and deposits

526,524

-

 

Derivative financial instruments

397,875

-

 

 

Total current assets

      44,196,474

33,859,636

 

 

  

 

 

Property and equipment, net

      47,081,787

           786,846

 

 

  

 

 

Other assets

4,728,671

3,000

 

  

 

 

 

Total assets

 $   96,006,932

$   34,649,482

 

 

  

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 $       9,720,752

 $         170,701

 

Current maturities of long term debt

60,000

-

 

 

Total current liabilities

    9,780,752

          170,701

 

 

  

 

 

Long-term debt less current maturities

330,000

-

 

 

  

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

                       

 

 

 

  

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

Common stock; $.001 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

6,002,736 and 4,215,990 shares issued and outstanding respectively

6,003

4,216

 

Additional paid-in capital

85,419,806

34,922,314

 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

470,371

(447,749)

 

 

Total stockholders' equity

             85,896,180

          34,478,781

 

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $   96,006,932

 $     34,649,482


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



F-4




GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Years Ended

November 30,

For the Period

From Inception on

June 29, 2004

Through

November 30,

For the Period

From Inception on

June 29,  2004

Through

November 30,

 

 

 

 

2006

2005

 2004

2006

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$                -

$                 -

$                   -

$                      -

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

2,150,986

729,546

50,305

2,930,837

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(2,150,986)

(729,546)

      (50,305)

    (2,930,837)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments

 

1,600,396

-

-

1,600,396

 

Interest income

 

1,791,989

331,792

310

2,124,091

 

Other income

 

2,721

-

-

2,721

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 1,244,120

(397,754)

      (49,995)

      (796,371)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

326,000

-

-

               326,000

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 $    918,120

$   (397,754)

$       (49,995)

$           470,371

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

       Basic

 

$         0.19

$        (0.42)

$           (0.08)

 

      Diluted

 

$         0.19

$        (0.42)

$           (0.08)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common

shares outstanding -

       Basic

 

4,877,938

945,517

622,535

 

       Diluted

 

4,904,545

945,517

622,535

 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



F-5




GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.  

 (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 29, 2004 (INCEPTION) THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional Paid-in

 

 Accumulated Earnings/

 

Total Stockholders'

 

Shares

 

 Amount

 

 Capital

 

(Deficit)

 

  Equity

Balance at June 29, 2004 (Inception)

             -

 

 $           -

 

 $                  -

 

 $                   -

 

 $                   -

Issuance of common stock to the founders of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     the Company for cash at $0.25 per share

    400,000

 

     400

 

    99,600

 

          -

 

      100,000

Issuance of common stock for services at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $0.25 per share

    150,000

 

150

 

37,350

 

-

 

37,500

Issuance of common stock to directors of the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Company for cash at $2.50 per share

73,000

 

73

 

182,427

 

-

 

182,500

Issuance of common stock for cash at $2.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     per share, net of offering costs of $1,712

142,000

 

142

 

353,146

 

                 -

 

        353,288

Net loss for the fiscal year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     November  30, 2004

-

 

-

 

-

 

 (49,995)

 

 (49,995)

Balance at November 30, 2004

765,000

 

$        765

 

$       672,523

 

$        (49,995)

 

$        623,293

Issuance of common stock for services at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $10.00 per  share

5,000

 

5

 

49,995

 

-

 

50,000

Issuance of common stock for cash at $10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     per share, net of offering costs of $256,658

3,445,990

 

3,446

 

34,199,796

 

-

 

34,203,242

Net loss for the fiscal year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     November 30, 2005

-

 

-

 

-

 

 (397,754)

 

 (397,754)

Balance at November 30, 2005

  4,215,990

 

 $     4,216

 

 $ 34,922,314

 

 $     (447,749)

 

 $  34,478,781

Issuance of common stock for services at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $10.00 per share

5,000

 

$            5

 

$        49,995

 

$                   -

 

$          50,000

Issuance of common stock for acquisition at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $10.00 per share

100,000

 

100

 

999,900

 

-

 

1,000,000

Issuance of common stock for land at $43.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     per share

10,900

 

11

 

478,499

 

-

 

478,510

Issuance of common stock for services at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $37.30 per share

2,500

 

3

 

93,247

 

-

 

93,250

Issuance of common stock for exercise of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     warrants for cash at $30 per share,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     plus fees of $810

68,277

 

68

 

2,049,052

 

-

 

2,049,120

Issuance of common stock for cash at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     $30.00 per share , net of offering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     costs of $1,173,671

1,600,069

 

1,600

 

46,826,799

 

-

 

46,828,399

Net income for the fiscal year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     November 30,2006

-

 

-

 

-

 

918,120

 

918,120

Balance at November 30, 2006

6,002,736

 

$      6,003

 

$  85,419,806

 

$       470,371

 

$   85,896,180


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



F-6




GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.  

 (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

For the Fiscal Years Ended

November 30,

For the

Period From

Inception on

June 29, 2004

Through

November 30,

For the

Period From

Inception on

June 29,  2004

Through

November 30,

 

2006

2005

2004

2006

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$        918,120  

$ (397,754)

$      (49,995)

$        470,371

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

to net cash used by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Stock based compensation

      143,250

      50,000

37,500

      230,70

Depreciation

            13,201

         1,693

-

      14,84

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments  

(32,375)

-

-

(32,375)

Deferred income taxes

(38,800)

-

 

(38,800)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest receivable

(183,610)

-

-

(183,610)

Prepaid expenses and deposits

        (526,522)

-

-

        (526,522)

Derivative financial instruments

(365,500)

-

-

(365,500)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   630,677

  100,151

5,800

      736,628

Net cash provided (used) by operating  activities

   558,441

      (245,910)

(6,695)

 305,836

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 (36,583,670)

 (723,789)

-

(37,307,459)

Purchase of securities

-

(28,064,700)

-

(28,064,700)

Purchase of land options

(23,500)

-

(3,000)

(26,500)

Payment for recoverable rail line costs

(3,500,000)

 

-

(3,500,000)

Cash acquired in acquisition of subsidiary

210,291

      -

-

210,291

Sale of securities

28,064,700

-

-

28,064,700

Net cash used by investing  activities

 (11,832,179)

(28,788,489)

(3,000)

 (40,623,668)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

48,877,519

34,203,242

635,788

83,716,549

Proceeds from the

 

 

 

 

issuance of long-term debt

400,000

-

-

400,000

Payment of principal on long-term debt

(10,000)

-

-

(10,000)

Payment of loan fees and equity in lenders

 (700,253)

-

-

 (700,253)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 48,567,266

34,203,242

635,788

83,406,296

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and equivalents

 37,293,528

(5,168,843)

626,093

43,088,464

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

5,794,936

626,093

-

-

Cash and equivalents at end of period

$   43,088,464

 $5,794,936

$     626,093

 $ 43,088,464

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on following page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



F-7




Continued from the previous page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 $                  -

$                 -

 $                  -

$                   -

Cash paid for interest

 $                  -

 $                -

 $                  -

$                   -

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash investing and financing Activities:

 

 

 

Common stock issued for acquisition of

subsidiary:

 

 

 

 

Cash

$        210,291

$                 -

$                   -

$       210,291

Land options

          11,100

               -

-

          11,100

Site development costs

778,609

      -

-

778,609

Total common stock issued for acquisition of subsidiary

 $    1,000,000

 $                -

$                   -

 $   1,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Land for Superior Ethanol Plant:

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for purchase of  land

 $       478,510

 $                -

$                   -

 $      478,510

Purchase accounting costs allocated to site development costs above allocated to land

purchase

             332,990      

                         -

-

              332,990   

Purchase accounting cost allocated to

purchase of land options above allocated to

purchase of  land

10,000

-

-

10,000

Total land for Superior Ethanol Plant

$        821,500

$                 -

$                  -

$       821,500

 

 

 

 

Accrued land improvements and

construction-in-progress:

 

 

 

Land improvements-accruals

$          36,854

$                 -

$                  -

$         36,854

Land improvements-retainage

123,809

-

-

123,809

Construction-in-progress-accruals

       5,302,522

         64,750

-

      5,302,522

Construction-in-progress-retainage

 3,504,537

                   -

-

      3,504,537

Total accrued land improvements and construction-in-progress

$    8,967,722

$       64,750

$                  -

$    8,967,722


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.




F-8



1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES



Description of business – Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) is a Company in the later stages of development that was incorporated on June 29, 2004 under the laws of the state of Iowa.  Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. was organized to construct and operate a 50 million gallon, dry mill, fuel grade ethanol plant (“Plant”).  Construction began in April, 2006.  In August 2006, construction began on a second Plant, similar to the Shenandoah facility, in Superior, Iowa.


Both of the ethanol production facilities we are building are name-plate 50 million gallon per year plants. Name-plate means the plants are guaranteed by the Design Builders and the process technology providers to produce at least 50 million gallons of ethanol per year once the Plants become operational. The Shenandoah Plant is being built by Fagen, Inc. (“Fagen”). ICM is the process technology provider for this Plant. Agra Industries is building the Superior, Iowa Plant and we are using Delta T as the technology provider for this Plant. We plan to build the Plants such that they will each have an annual capacity to process approximately 18 million bushels of corn into approximately 50 million gallons of ethanol and will produce approximately 160,000 tons annually of animal feed known as Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (“DDGS”) on a dry matter basis. Distillers’ grains are the principal by-products of the ethanol production process. The Plants will also produce approximately 148 tons of CO². However, because the Iowa market is saturated with CO² due to the number of ethanol plants in Iowa, we intend to scrub the CO² produced at the Plants and vent it off.


Definition of fiscal year – The Company’s fiscal year end is November 30.


Principles of consolidation - The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Superior Ethanol, L.L.C., which was acquired by the Company on February 22, 2006.


Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


The Company uses a days approach (estimated billing dollars divided by the number of day), unless other information is available, to estimate the liability for construction work from the billing cut-off to the end of the accounting period.  These amounts can represent material estimates by the company.


Cash and cash equivalents – For the purposes of reporting cash and cash flows, we consider short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less at acquisition to be cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents as of November 30, 2006 and 2005 included amounts in short term government funds which are not federally insured and balances in operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.


Securities – For the purposes of reporting cash and cash flows, we consider short-term investments with original maturities of three months or greater at acquisition to be securities.  The Company’s marketable securities are classified as held to maturity and reported at amortized cost. The Company’s securities are primarily investments in short term interest bearing financial instruments.


Fair value measurement of financial instruments - The Company accounts for estimating the fair value of financial instruments according to SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157.  The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:


Level 1- Market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs):

 



F-9



Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents was their fair values due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. These funds are invested in low risk interest bearing government instruments and the carrying value is determined by the financial institution where the funds are held.     


Securities – The carrying value of securities was their fair value due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. These funds are invested in low risk interest bearing government instruments and the carrying value is determined by the financial institution where the funds are held.    


Derivative financial instruments - These instruments are valued at fair market value based upon information supplied by the broker at which these instruments are held.  The fair value is determined by the broker based on closing quotes supplied by the Chicago Board of Trade. The Chicago Board of Trade is an exchange with published pricing.  See the “Derivative Financial Instrument” policy below for additional information.  


Level 2 – The reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs):


 Long-term debt - The carrying value of the non-transferable, zero interest note was $290,000, including the $60,000 recorded as current portion of long-term debt at November 30, 2006. It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of non-transferable zero interest fixed rate long-term debt at November 30, 2006 since this agreements contain unique terms, conditions and restrictions, and there is no readily determinable similar instrument on which to base an estimate of fair value.  In addition, long-term debt includes a $100,000 grant and based on certain covenants, when reached; we intend to record this grant as income.  


All financial instruments discussed are separate line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Derivative financial instruments - Derivatives such as exchange-traded futures are currently recognized on the balance sheet at fair value.  At the present time and until operations commence and the Company is generating a revenue stream from the production of ethanol, any and all fair value adjustments for derivative financial instruments will be recorded in the statement of operations as gains/(losses) in Other Income.  Upon the commencement of operations for the production of ethanol, derivative financial instruments found to be highly effective hedges with their underlying commodity will be designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in “Other Comprehensive Income” net of tax.


At November 30, 2006, the derivative financial instruments were margin requirements of $365,500 in broker accounts and $32,375 of unrealized gains on futures positions held by the Company.  During fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, the Company had realized gains, net of commissions, on derivative financial instruments of $1,568,021. The realized and unrealized gains totaling $1,600,396 on derivative financial instruments have been recorded in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  In addition, the Company considered the actual futures position as an operating activity to secure future corn inventory for production, therefore the unrealized gain of $32,375 is an adjustment to operating income and the realized gains of $1,568,021 were considered operating gains in the Statement of Cash Flows.  The margin requirement was considered a deposit on futures and a change in operating assets in the Statement of Cash Flows


Property and equipment – Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which are currently 3-7 years.  


Land and permanent land improvements are capitalized at cost.  Non-permanent land improvements, construction in progress and capitalized interest are capitalized and depreciated upon the commencement of operations of the property.  The money withheld on work performed for land improvements and construction in progress are included in these accounts and offset by a current liability for accrued retainage.




F-10



The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition of a depreciable asset, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in operating income or loss.


The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of fixed assets or whether the remaining balance of fixed assets should be evaluated for possible impairment. The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the fixed assets in measuring their recoverability.


Recoverable rail line costs - The Company has entered into a contract with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) that requires the Company to pay rail line renovation costs for the spur track running from Red Oak, Iowa to the Shenandoah plant.  Included in the contract is a provision for reimbursement to the Company for the renovation costs up to $3,500,000 through rebates ($50 to $150) issued per rail car load - provided sufficient rail cars are placed on the rail line.   The rebates will be recorded as a reduction to the track renovation costs until the full amount has been recovered.  If the track is sold by BNSF, the agreement provides for repayment to the Company for any portion of the unrecovered renovation costs.  


Site development costs – Site development costs are business development expenditures incurred for professional fees for planning, zoning, permits, designs and other services and are expensed prior to the construction project reaching economic feasibility consistent with past practice.  Economic feasibility is determined by the progress of funding the project.  When the project is funded, these costs going forward are capitalized as the cost of the project. The Company incurred site development costs of $458,543, $155,558 and $5,800 for fiscal years ending November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.


Research and development costs - The Company will follow the policy of expensing any research and development costs in the period in which they are incurred.


Debt issuance costs – Fees and costs related to securing debt financing are recorded as debt issuance costs. Debt issuance costs are stated at cost.  Debt issuance costs will be amortized as interest expense over the life of the loans.  


Deferred offering costs – Costs incurred to raise equity financing are deferred until that financing occurs. At the time that the issuance of new equity occurs, these costs are netted against the proceeds received. These costs are expensed if the offering does not occur.


Grants These funds will be recognized as grant income as other income for expenses incurred or expenses paid on behalf of the Company upon complying with the conditions of the grant. For reimbursement of capital expenditures, the grants will be recognized as a reduction in the basis of the asset upon complying with the conditions of the grant. Prior to complying with the conditions of the grant, the Company will record the grant as a liability.


Impairment of long-lived assetsOur long-lived assets consisted of property and equipment and acquired intangible assets.  We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds it estimated future cash flows, impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  Significant management judgment is required in determining the fair value of our long-lived assets to measure impairment, including projections of future discounted cash flows.


Revenue Recognition - The Company currently has no source of revenues.  Revenue recognition policies will be determined when principal operations begin.


Stock based compensation - The Company applies SFAS No. 123 (R) “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” for all compensation related to stock, options or warrants. SFAS 123 requires the recognition of compensation cost using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to calculate the fair value of options and warrants issued to both employees and non-employees. Stock issued for compensation is valued using the market price of the stock on the date of the related agreement.



F-11




The Company has granted no stock options or warrants for compensation from inception on June 29, 2004 through the period ended November 30, 2006. The Company granted the president 150,000 shares valued at the original issuance price of $.25 per share for a total of $37,500 for services and this issuance is recorded in fiscal year ending November 30, 2004.  The Company issued 5,000 shares in November, 2005 valued at the IPO price of $10.00 per share to a director for services and this issuance is recorded in fiscal year ending November 2005.  The Company issued 5,000 shares in January, 2006 valued at the IPO price of $10.00 per share to an engineering firm for services and issued 2,500 shares valued at the fair market price of $37.30 to the Shenandoah Industry Commerce Association for services and theses issuances were recorded in fiscal year ending November 30, 2006.      


Income taxes - The Company accounts for its income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, SFAS No. 109.  Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowances is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.


Earnings per share (“EPS”)  – The Company computes earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS 128) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 (SAB 98).  Under the provisions of SFAS 128 and SAB 98, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share gives effect to common stock equivalents; however, potential common shares are excluded if their effect is antidilutive.  There were no shares excluded for the fiscal years presented.  


The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share for the years ended November 30:



 

2006

2005

2004

Numerator:

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$            918,120

$         (397,754)

$              (49,995)

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per share-

weighted-average shares outstanding

4,877,938

945,517

622,535

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

Warrants from IPO

26,607

-

-

Warrants from second public offering

-

-

-

   

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share –

weighted-average share outstanding and

assumed conversions

4,904,545

945,517

622,535

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

Basic

$                  0.19

$               (0.42)

$                   (0.08)

Diluted

$                  0.19

$               (0.42)

$                   (0.08)




F-12



Reclassifications – Certain fiscal 2005 amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.  These adjustments had no impact on the loss for 2005.


Accounting Pronouncements -


During the year ended November 30, 2006, the Company adopted the following accounting pronouncements:


SFAS No. 123(R) -- In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) (SFAS 123 (R)) "Share-based payment". SFAS 123 (R) will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards will be re-measured each reporting period. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. FASB 123 (R) replaces FASB 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and supersedes APB option No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. This guidance is effective as of the first interim or annual reporting period after June 15, 2005.  


The Company has granted no stock options or warrants for compensation from inception on June 29, 2004 through the period ended November 30, 2006. The Company granted the president 150,000 shares valued at the original issuance price of $.25 per share for a total of $37,500 for services and this issuance is recorded in fiscal year ending November 30, 2004.  The Company issued 5,000 shares in November, 2005 valued at the IPO price of $10.00 per share to a director for services and this is issuance is recorded in fiscal year ending November 2005.  The Company issued 5,000 shares in January, 2006 valued at the IPO price of $10.00 per share to an engineering firm for services and issued 2,500 shares valued at the fair market price of $37.30 to an organization for services and theses issuances were recorded in fiscal year ending November 30, 2006.


In February 2006, the Financial Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments-an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140.” SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative and that otherwise would require bifurcation to be accounted for as a whole on a fair value basis, at the holders’ election. SFAS No. 155 also clarifies and amends certain other provisions of SFAS No. 133 and 140. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” SFAS No. 156 provides guidance on the accounting for servicing assets and liabilities when an entity undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract. This statement is effective for all transactions in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 156 has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy as defined in the standard. Additionally, companies are required to provide enhanced disclosure regarding financial instruments in one of the categories (level 3), including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances separately for each major category of assets and liabilities. SFAS No.157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.




F-13



New Accounting Pronouncements:     


In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosure. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, FIN 48 will have on our consolidated financial statements.


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” SFAS No. 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of a defined benefit plan in the balance sheet; the recognition in other comprehensive income of gains or losses and prior service costs or credits arising during the period but which are not included as components of periodic benefit cost; the measurement of defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the balance sheet date; and disclosure of additional information about the effects on periodic benefit cost for the following fiscal year arising from delayed recognition in the current period. In addition, SFAS No. 158 amends SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” and SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” to include guidance regarding selection of assumed discount rates for use in measuring the benefit obligation. SFAS No. 158 is effective for our year ending December 31, 2006. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 158 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). Due to diversity in practice among registrants, SAB 108 expresses SEC staff views regarding the process by which misstatements in financial statements are evaluated for purposes of determining whether financial statement restatement is necessary. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company does not believe the adoption of SAB 108 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



2.

 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT


The components of property and equipment as of November 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:



 

2006

2005

Land and improvements

$           3,521,013

$                   684,461

Construction-in-progress

           43,480,379

                       92,500

Computer equipment and software

                  33,454

                         8,276

Office furniture and equipment

                  30,251

                         3,302

Leasehold improvements

                    1,310

                                -

Vehicles

                  30,274

                                -

 

            47,096,681

                    788,539

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

                 (14,894)

                       (1,693)

 

$          47,081,787

$                   786,846


Accruals and retainage for land improvements and construction-in-progress are considered non-cash investing activities, therefore they are not included as purchases of property and equipment in the Statements of Cash Flows.  These accruals and retainage were $8,967,722 and $64,750 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as detailed in the Statements of Cash Flows and Footnote 4 – Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses.



F-14



3.

OTHER ASSETS


The components of other assets as of November 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:


 

2006

2005

Recoverable rail line costs

$           3,500,000

$                              -

Site development costs from acquisition

                445,619

                                -

Debt issuance costs

                698,252

                                -

Land option agreements

                  27,600

                         3,000

Equity in lenders related to debt issuance

                    2,000

                                -

Deferred income taxes

                  55,200

                                -

 

$          4,728,671

$                      3,000



4.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES


The components of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses as of November 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

2006

2005

Accrued land improvements

$                 36,854

$                               0

Accrued land improvements retainage

123,809

0

Accrued construction-in-progress

5,302,522

64,750

Accrued construction- in-progress retainage

               3,504,537

                                 -

Accrued income taxes

                  364,800

                                 -

Accrued operating costs

                  371,830

                      105,951

Deferred income tax

                    16,400

                                 -

 

$           9,720,752

$                    170,701


Accrued construction-in-progress and retainage includes $672,813 of accruals for the period of invoicing cut-off from November 26 to November 30, 2006.  The accruals above for land improvements, land improvements retainage, construction-in- progress and construction-in-progress retainage are considered non-cash investing activities, therefore they are not included as purchases of property and equipment in the Statements of Cash Flows.



5.

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT


At November 30, 2006, the Company classified $330,000 as long-term debt and $60,000 as current portion of long-term debt based on a $290,000 note and $100,000 grant with the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED).    


In April 2005, the IDED awarded the Company a High-Quality Job Creation (HQJC) financing incentive comprised of a $300,000 zero interest loan and a $100,000 forgivable loan (grant) for the Shenandoah project.  The IDED funds became available for use by the Company in March, 2006 - upon closing of the senior debt financing commitment.  Associated with this award are job creation covenants.  The Company believes those covenants will be fulfilled.  The Shenandoah project has been awarded a tax incentive package from the Iowa Department of Economic Development under their High Quality Job Creation (HQJC) program with, according to the IDED, an estimated value of approximately $3.5 million.


The $300,000 zero loan interest loan terms are $5,000 per month for sixty months beginning October 1, 2006.


The $100,000 grant was recorded as long-term debt as the covenants related to jobs creation have not been fulfilled.  The intention is that when the initial requirements have been fulfilled, the creation of the 33 full time jobs with 21 qualifying as High Quality Jobs, the Company will record the $100,000 grant as other income.



F-15



On February 6, 2006, the Company entered into a Master Loan Agreement, Construction and Term Loan Supplement, Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement, Security Agreement and Real Estate Mortgage with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (individually and collectively, the “Loan Agreements”). A participating interest under the Loan Documents was transferred to CoBank, ACB. This agreement required a $1,000 equity investment in both Farm Credit Services of America and CoBank. Under the Loan Agreements, the lenders will lend up to $47,000,000. The loan proceeds are to partially finance construction of the Shenandoah Plant and to provide funding for working capital purposes. This credit line is available after the required equity has been used for the construction of the Shenandoah Plant.  The loan is comprised of a $30,000,000 amortizing term loan and a $17,000,000 revolving term facility.


Loan Commitments and Repayment Terms –


·

Term Loan – This loan is available for advances until July 1, 2007. Principal payments are to commence with $1,200,000 due November 20, 2007, and each quarter thereafter with a final maturity on November 20, 2013 at the latest. In addition, for fiscal years ending in 2007 and thereafter, we are also required to make a special payment equal to 65% of the available (if any) free cash flow from operations, not to exceed $2,000,000 per year, and provided, however, that if such payments would result in a covenant default under the Loan Agreements, the amount of the payments shall be reduced to an amount which would not result in a covenant default. The free cash flow payments are discontinued when the aggregate total received from such payments exceeds $8,000,000.


·

Revolving Term – This loan is available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. This loan requires semi-annual $2,400,000 payments on/step-downs of the commitment to commence on the first day of the month beginning approximately six months after repayment of the term loan, by May 1, 2014 at the latest with a final maturity no later than November 1, 2017.


Pricing and fees –


·

The loans will bear interest at either Agent Base Rate (prime) plus 0%-1/2% (based on a ratio of total equity to total assets)  or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR (1, 3 or 6 month) +285 to 335 basis points (based on a ratio of total equity to total assets).


·

The Lenders may, however, allow the Company to elect to pay interest at a fixed interest rate to be determined.


·

Origination fees of $352,500, $2,000 for equity in lenders and other fees in the amount of $90,843 have been incurred by the company through November 30, 2006.  Appraisal, inspecting engineer, and title Company insurance and disbursing fees are at the Company’s expense.


·

Annual administrative fees of $25,000 beginning November 20, 2006.


·

An unused commitment fee of ½% on the $17,000,000 Revolving Term Loan beginning upon the first draw of funds.


Availability of Advances, Interest Rates and Fees –


Advances are subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions. Advances correlate to budget and construction timeline projections, with verification of progress by a third-party engineer.



F-16



Security –


 As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on all personal property and real estate owned by us, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to construction and on-going operations of the Plants.  The Company will be required to maintain certain financial and non-financial covenants during the term of the loans.


Representations, Warranties and Covenants –


 The Loan Agreements contain representations, warranties, conditions precedent, affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants.


·

The Shenandoah facility requires working capital (current assets over current liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of not less than $5,000,000 at the earlier of commencement of operations or by May 31, 2007 and increasing to $6,000,000 at fiscal year ending 2007, and there after, except that in determining current assets, any amounts available (less the amount that would be considered a current liability under GAAP if fully advanced) may be included.  


·

The credit facility requires net worth (total assets over total liabilities in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of $31,000,000 million, increasing to $32,000,000 at fiscal year ending 2007, and increasing to $34,000,000 at fiscal year ending 2008 and thereafter.  


·

The credit facility also requires Debt Service Coverage Ratio of 1.5 to 1.0 for fiscal year end 2007 and thereafter.  Debt Service Coverage Ratio is defined as (all as calculated for the most current year-end in accordance with GAAP consistently applied): 1) net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization,; divided by 2) all current portion of regularly scheduled long term debt for the prior period (previous year end).


·

In addition, dividends or other distributions to stockholders will be limited to 40% of the profit net of income taxes for each fiscal year and may be paid only where we are expected to remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions. Furthermore, with respect to the fiscal years ending in 2008 and thereafter, an additional distribution may be made to stockholders in excess of the 40% limit for such fiscal year if we have made the required free cash flow payment for/based on such fiscal year, and will thereafter remain in compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions on a pro forma basis net of said potential additional payment. There can be no assurance that we can remain in compliance with all loan covenants.


At November 30, 2006 the Company had not drawn on the credit line with Farm Credit Services and CoBank.  In December 2006 and January 2007, the Company began drawing on the credit line for the construction of the Pant in Shenandoah after fulfilling the equity requirement as well as all necessary conditions precedent to funding.  The Company currently has drawn a total of $10,462,197 and accrued interest of $59,358 through February 9, 2007.


On October 16, 2006 the Company entered into a Commitment Letter for $51,600,000 with Farm Credit Services, FLCA.  This agreement is with Superior Ethanol, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. to provide partial funding for the construction of the Superior Plant and is expected to be finalized in early fiscal 2007. The Company has incurred debt issuance costs of $254,910 as of November 30, 2006 related to securing this credit line.



6.

INCOME TAXES


The pre- tax income (loss) for the years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:



F-17




 

2006

2005

2004

Income (loss) before income taxes

$          1,244,120

$          (397,754)

$             (49,995)


The current and deferred components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follow:


 

2006

2005

2004

Current:

 

 

 

Federal    

$             426,300

$          (133,300)

$             (17,000)

State

                 77,200

              (24,100)

                 (3,100)

Total current

               503,500

            (157,400)

               (20,100)

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

Federal    

             (150,300)

              133,300

                  17,000

State

               (27,200)

                24,100

                    3,100

Total deferred

             (177,500)

             157,400

                  20,100

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

$             326,000

$                        -

$                         -


Total income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. Federal statutory rates of 34% for the years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004.


 

2006

2005

2004

Tax expense (benefit) at U.S. Federal statutory rate    

$             423,000

$    (135,200)

$             (17,000)

State tax expense (benefit), net of

Federal tax effect

                76,600

                (24,500)

              (3,100)

Impact of permanent items

                   3,900

                  2,300

                           -

Valuation adjustment

             (177,500)

              157,400

                  20,100

Income tax expense (benefit)

$             326,000

$                        -

$                         -


Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are summarized as follows:


 

2006

2005

2004

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

Non-Current:

 

 

 

  Equity for services    

$               55,200

$             35,200

$                15,100

Net operating loss carry-forwards

-

142,600

                    5,000

Total non-current deferred tax      assets

55,200

177,800

20,100

Less: valuation allowance

-

(177,800)

(20,100)

Net deferred tax assets

55,200

-

-

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

Current:   

 

 

 

 Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

                 13,000

                -

-

Other temporary differences

3,400

300

-

Total current deferred tax liabilities

                16,400

             300

                        -

Less: valuation allowance

-

(300)

-

Net deferred tax liabilities

16,400

-

-

Deferred income taxes

$               38,800

$                        -

$                         -




F-18



During 2006, the deferred tax asset and liability valuation allowances were reversed to offset taxable income.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.


During 2005 and 2004, the Company established a valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets and tax liabilities as the Company was in the early start-up phase and any future income or tax benefits was uncertain. The Company has not provided for valuation allowances for 2006 due to the determination based on industry trends that it is more likely than not that the benefit of the deferred taxable assets will be realized.   



7.

STOCKHOLDER’ EQUITY


In July 2004, the Company issued 400,000 and 150,000 shares of common stock to the founders of the Company for cash and services, respectively.  The shares were issued in consideration of cash and services totaling $100,000 and $37,500, respectively.  The shares for services were issued at $.25 per share based upon the issuance of the stock to the founders.


In August, October and November 2004, the Company issued 73,000 shares of common stock to directors for cash totaling $182,500.


In August, September, October and November 2004, the Company issued 142,000 shares of common stock to various non-related individuals and entities for cash totaling $355,000 less $1,712 of offering costs.


In November 2005, the Company issued 3,445,990 shares of common stock to various non-related individuals and entities for cash totaling $34,459,900.  The Company incurred $256,658 of costs related to this offering.


In November 2005, the Company issued 5,000 shares of common stock to a director for services valued at $50,000 or $10 per share. The value assigned was at the recent IPO issuance price of $10 per share.


In January 2006, the Company issued 5,000 shares of common stock to an engineering firm for services valued at $50,000 or $10 per share.  The value assigned was at the recent IPO issuance price of $10 per share.


In February 2006, the Company issued 100,000 shares to a director in exchange for 100% ownership in Superior Ethanol, L.L.C. Superior Ethanol, L.L.C. had cash of $210,291 in its accounts, holds options on real estate, property tax abatements and other assets in an area where the Company intends to build an additional ethanol Plant in Iowa. The value assigned was at the recent IPO issuance price of $10 per share.


In May 2006, the Company issued 10,900 shares to a director in exchange for land.  The shares were valued at fair market value at the current market price of $43.90 per share.  The land purchase was approximately 68 acres of land near Superior Iowa in Dickinson County where the Company is building a 50 Million Gallon, Fuel Grade Ethanol Plant.


In May 2006, the Company issued 2,500 shares valued at $93,250 based upon fair market value at the current market price of $37.30 per share to the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association as a gift to enhance the Community of Shenandoah, Iowa.


On July 31, 2006, the Company closed on a second public offering and issued 1,600,069 shares of common stock to various non-related individuals and entities for cash totaling $48,002,069.  The Company incurred $1,173,671 of fees and costs related to this offering.


Purchasers of the Company’s IPO that closed in November of 2005 bought 3,445,990 shares of the Company’s common stock at $10 per share. Each share purchased in the offering was accompanied by a warrant. Four warrants are needed to purchase one share of common stock at $30 per share. Said warrants expire on December 31, 2007. The Company’s common stock was trading above the $30 strike price in the past. During these times, some of the Company’s shareholders exercised their warrants. As of August 31, 2006, shareholders had exercised 273,108 warrants for which 68,277 shares of the Company’s common shares were issued at $30 per share, plus transfer fees, for total proceeds of $2,049,120. As of August 31, 2006 there were 3,172,884 warrants outstanding that could be exercised for a total of 793,221 shares of common stock.  If all warrants still outstanding were to be exercised, the Company would realize an additional $23,796,630 of capital.



F-19




Purchasers of the Company’s second public offering, which closed on July 31, 2006, bought 1,600,069 shares of common stock at $30.00 per share.  Each share purchased in the offering was accompanied by a warrant.  Five warrants are needed to purchase one share of common stock at $60.00 per share.  The total warrants in the offering were 1,600,069 for equivalent shares of 320,014. The warrants have a call option that can be exercised on twenty days’ notice, subject to the price being above $72 for twenty consecutive trading days; otherwise the warrants can be exercised at any time through December 31, 2008.  To date, no warrants issued in the second public offering have been exercised.  As of the date hereof, all of the warrants issued in the IPO and second public offering are out of the money and there can be no assurance that any outstanding warrants will ever be exercised.


The Company has accumulated earnings of $470,371 since inception on June 29, 2004 through November 30, 2006.  The Company incurred net income (loss) of $918,120, $(397,754), and $(49,995) for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.


The Company has not paid any dividends since inception. Dividends to shareholders are restricted by the Company’s credit line as discussed in Representations, Warranties and Covenants in Footnote 5 – Long-term Debt and Lines of Credit.



8.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


Plant Construction


In October 2005, we entered into an agreement with Fagen Engineering for design services for the Phase I and II Pre Engineering work to be done at the Plant site by the Company, prior to turning the site over to Fagen, Inc. for the construction of the Plant itself. The Company agreed to pay Fagen Engineering a lump sum fee for said engineering. However, said amount is included as part of the total cost of the Plant itself, as outlined in the Design Build Contract we have entered into with Fagen, Inc. (“Fagen”), which is anticipated to be $55,881,454. Therefore, the cost of the pre-engineering will be deducted from the total cost of Plant once we pay for the pre-engineering work. All payments are due upon receipt, and the Company is to be billed as work is completed.  This contract was completed during the current quarter ending August 31, 2006.


On January 13, 2006, we entered into a construction agreement with Fagen Inc., under which Fagen, Inc. will provide all work and services in connection with the engineering, design, procurement, construction startup, performances tests, training for the operation and maintenance of its Plant and provide all material, equipment, tools and labor necessary to complete the Plant. As consideration for the services to be performed, Fagen, Inc. will be paid $55,881,454, subject to adjustments. The Company was required to pay an initial payment of $5,000,000, less retainage, at the time of the notice to proceed. The Company has made this payment and is required to make payments to Fagen, Inc. based upon monthly applications for payment.  The Company paid $23.7 million during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2006. At November 30, 2006, the Company owed Fagen $3,562,969 (net of retainage) for progress billings through November 25th, 2006 and used a days approach to accrue an additional $659,965 for the November 26 through November 30, 2006 stub period for services rendered for that period. At November 30, 2006, accrued retainage for Fagen, Inc. was $2,794,073.


If Fagen completes that Plant early, we will have to pay Fagen an early completion bonus. If this were to happen, we could expend any extra cash we may have on hand by paying the early completion bonus.


In February 2006, we entered into an agreement with Mathiowetz Construction to do the grading and dirt work at the site in Shenandoah, Iowa to prepare the site for Fagen so construction on the Plant could commence. The original contract was for approximately $1.75 million. There were a change orders for an additional sums of $317,073. We have been billed and paid $1,923,727 (net of retainage) through November 30, 2006.  At November 30, 2006, we had accrued $36,854 for completed work and recorded accrued retainage of $99,504.




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In April 2006, we entered into an agreement with Peterson Contractors, Inc. to install the geopiers to support certain buildings to be constructed at the Plant. The contract was for $1,062,000 and as of November 30, 2006 the Company had paid $1,062,000 completing the contract.


In June 2006, we entered into an agreement with Kelly-Hill Company to rehabilitate a small portion of the existing rail spur running directly south of the Plant in Shenandoah that is deemed industrial track. We are currently leasing this track from BNSF, but will eventually purchase it from them for a nominal amount. As part of said agreement, Kelly-Hill will also construct additional track at the Plant in Shenandoah, Iowa.  The contract is for $341,549 and as of November 30, 2006 the Company had paid $15,487 and accrued retainage of $950.


In July 2006, we entered into an agreement with Sunderman, Inc. to build the administrative building to support our operations at the Plant.  The contract is for approximately $280,000.  At November 30, 2006 the Company has paid $73,850 for completed construction.


In July 2006, we entered into and agreement with McCormick Construction Company, Inc for auger cast pilings for the grain silo area at the site in Shenandoah, Iowa.  The original contract was for $337,100 and change orders for $149,000 have been added. At November 30, 2006 the Company has paid $461,795 for completed work and has recorded accrued retainage of $24,305.


In August 2006, our wholly owned subsidiary, Superior Ethanol, L.L.C. entered into a construction agreement with Agra Industries, Inc. under which Agra Industries, Inc. will provide all work and services in connection with the engineering, design, procurement, construction startup, performances tests, training for the operation and maintenance of its Plant and provide all material, equipment, tools and labor necessary to complete the Superior Plant in Superior, Iowa. As consideration for the services to be performed, Agra Industries, Inc. will be paid $75,953,276, subject to adjustments. The Company was required to pay an initial payment of $7,595,328 and has paid $1,121,580 for completed work and has recorded accrued retainage of $708,614. At November 30, 2006, the Company owed Agra Industries, Inc. $697,749 (net of retainage) for progress billings through November 25th, 2006 and used an estimate from Agra to accrue an additional $12,848 for the November 26 through November 30, 2006 stub period for services rendered for that period.


The Agra Industries, Inc. contract includes an early completion bonus for $2,500 per day if substantial completion occurs in advance of the required substantial completion date of November 30, 2007, provided that the facility meets 100% of the performance guarantees within ninety days following the actual date of substantial completion.  Substantial completion is achieved when (i) the project has been constructed according to the proved plans and specifications therefore and so certified by Agra Industries, Inc. (ii) a certificate of occupancy has been issued for the project by the applicable governmental authority (if required) (iii) the punch list provided for in the agreement has been agreed by the Company and Agra Industries, Inc., and (iv)  each of the applicable performance guarantees achieve a ninety percent (90%) or better result.


In September 2006, our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a construction management agreement with Engineering & Construction Services to manage the Superior Plant project. The agreement is for $10,000 per month plus a percentage of cost savings. To date, we have paid $30,000 and have accrued an additional $65,870 for monthly services and cost savings.


Credit Lines and Grants


Farm Credit Services of America (FLCA) -


On February 6, 2006, the Company entered into a Master Loan Agreement, Construction and Term Loan Supplement, Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement, Security Agreement and Real Estate Mortgage with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (individually and collectively, the “Loan Agreements”). A participating interest under the Loan Documents was transferred to CoBank, ACB. This agreement required a $1,000 equity investment in both Farm Credit Services of America and CoBank. Under the Loan Agreements, the lenders will lend up to $47,000,000. The loan proceeds are to partially finance construction of the Shenandoah Plant and to provide funding for working capital purposes. This credit line is available after the required equity has been used for the construction of the Shenandoah Plant.  The loan is comprised of a $30,000,000 amortizing term loan and a $17,000,000 revolving term facility.




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