Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
Voice Service¹
|
|
$
|
1,440,026
|
|
$
|
1,611,058
|
Network Access¹
|
|
|
1,129,085
|
|
|
1,325,637
|
Video Service¹
|
|
|
3,051,297
|
|
|
3,141,352
|
Data Service¹
|
|
|
6,253,196
|
|
|
6,149,460
|
Directory²
|
|
|
155,259
|
|
|
161,092
|
Other Contracted Revenue³
|
|
|
655,389
|
|
|
671,607
|
Other4
|
|
|
452,806
|
|
|
305,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from customers
|
|
|
13,137,058
|
|
|
13,365,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidy and other revenue outside scope of ASC 6065
|
|
|
3,225,889
|
|
|
3,109,065
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
$
|
16,362,947
|
|
$
|
16,474,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
¹ Month-to-Month contracts billed and consumed in the same month.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
² Directory revenue is contracted annually, however, this revenue is recognized monthly over the contract period as the advertising is used.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
³ This includes long-term contracts where the revenue is recognized monthly over the term of the contract.
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⁴ This includes CPE and other equipment sales.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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⁵ This includes governmental subsidies and lease revenue outside the scope of ASC 606.
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, approximately 77.52% of our total revenue was from month-to-month and other contracted revenue from customers. Approximately 19.71% of our total revenue was from revenue sources outside of the scope of ASC 606. The remaining 2.77% of total revenue was from other sources including CPE and equipment sales and installation.
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For the three months ended March 31, 2022, approximately 79.28% of our total revenue was from month-to-month and other contracted revenue from customers. Approximately 18.87% of our total revenue was from revenue sources outside of the scope of ASC 606. The remaining 1.85% of total revenue was from other sources including CPE and equipment sales and installation.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from customers who may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of the future revenue to be recognized from our existing customer base. Revenue from customers with a contractually specified term and non-cancelable service period will be recognized over the term of such contracts, which is generally 3 to 10 years for these types of contracts.
Nature of Services
Revenues are earned from our customers primarily through the connection to our advanced fiber networks, digital and commercial television (TV) programming, Internet services (high-speed broadband), and hosted and managed services. Revenues for these services are billed based on set rates for monthly service or based on the amount of time the customer is utilizing our facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized over time as the service is rendered.
Voice Service – We receive recurring revenue for basic local services that enable end-user customers to make and receive telephone calls within a defined local calling area for a flat monthly fee. In addition to subscribing to basic local telephone services, our customers may choose from multiple voice service plans with a variety of custom calling features such as call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification and voicemail. Our Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) digital phone service is also available as an alternative to the traditional telephone line. Customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one-month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.
Network Access – We provide access services to other communication carriers for the use of our facilities to terminate or originate long distance calls on our network. Additionally, we bill monthly subscriber line charges (SLCs) to substantially all of our customers for access to the public switched network. These monthly SLCs are regulated and approved by the FCC. In addition, network access revenue is derived from several federally administered pooling arrangements designed to provide support and distribute funding to us.
Revenues earned from other communication carriers accessing our network are based on the utilization of our network by these carriers as measured by minutes of use on the network or special access to the network by the individual carriers on a monthly basis. Revenues are billed at tariffed access rates for both interstate and intrastate calls and are recognized into revenue monthly based on the period the access was provided.
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The National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) pools and redistributes the SLCs to various communication providers through the Connect America Fund (CAF). These revenues are earned and recognized into revenue on a monthly basis. Any adjustments to these amounts received by NECA are adjusted for in revenue upon receipt of the adjustment.
Video Service – We provide a variety of enhanced video services on a monthly recurring basis to our customers. We also receive monthly recurring revenue from our subscribers for providing commercial TV programming in competition with local cable TV (CATV), satellite dish TV and off-air TV service providers. We serve twenty-two communities with our Internet Protocol (IPTV) services and five communities with our CATV services. Customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one-month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.
Data Service – We provide high speed Internet to business and residential customers depending on the nature of the network facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location. Our revenue is earned based on the offering of various flat packages based on the level of service, data speeds and features. We also provide e-mail and managed services, such as web hosting and design, on-line file back up and on-line file storage. Data customers may generally cancel their subscriptions at any time without penalty. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized over a one-month service period as the subscription services are delivered. Other optional services purchased by the customer are generally accounted for as a distinct performance obligation when purchased and revenue is recognized when the service is provided.
Directory – Our directory publishing revenue in our telephone directories recurs monthly and is recognized into revenue on a monthly basis.
Other Contracted Revenue - Managed services and certain other data customers include advanced fiber-delivered communications and managed information technology solutions to mainly business customers, as well as high-capacity last-mile data connectivity services to wireless and wireline carriers. Services are primarily offered on a subscription basis with a contractually specified and non-cancelable service period. The non-cancelable contract terms for these customers generally range from three to ten years. Each subscription service provided is accounted for as a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period as the subscription services are delivered. These services are billed as monthly recurring charges to customers.
Other – We also generate revenue from the sales, service and installation of CPE and other services. Sales and service of CPE are billed and recognized into revenue once the sale or service is complete or delivered. These sales and services are generally short-term in nature and are completed within one month. Other revenues are immaterial to our total revenues.
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Subsidy and Other Revenue outside the Scope of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 – We receive subsidies from governmental entities to operate and expand our advanced fiber networks. In addition, we have revenue from leasing arrangements. Both of these revenue streams are outside of the scope of ASC 606.
Interstate access rates are established by a nationwide pooling of companies known as NECA. The FCC established NECA in 1983 to develop and administer interstate access service rates, terms and conditions. Revenues are pooled and redistributed on the basis of a company's actual or average costs. There has been a change in the composition of interstate access charges in recent years, shifting more of the charges to the end user and reducing the amount of access charges paid by the interexchange carriers (IXC’s). We believe this trend will continue.
Intrastate access rates are filed with state regulatory commissions in Minnesota and Iowa.
The Company currently receives funding based on the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) as described below, with the exception of Scott-Rice Telephone Company (Scott-Rice), which receives funding from the Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF). Scott-Rice’s settlements from the pools are based on nationwide average schedules, which includes the pooling and redistribution of revenues based on a company’s actual or average costs as described below.
A-CAM
As described above, with the exception of Scott-Rice, the remainder of our companies receive funding from the A-CAM.
Per the FCC Public Notice DA 19-115, the Company receives A-CAM support and has corresponding service deployment obligations under that program. The Company annually receives (i) $596,084 for its Iowa operations and (ii) $8,354,481 for its Minnesota operations. The Company will receive the A-CAM support for a period of 10 years, which started in 2019. The Company uses the funding that it receives through the A-CAM program to meet its defined broadband build-out obligations, which the Company is currently completing.
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Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities
The following table provides information about our receivables, contracts assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts with our customers:
| | Quarter Ended March 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net - beginning balance | | $ | 1,477,692 | | $ | 1,512,369 |
Accounts receivable, net - ending balance | | $ | 1,751,045 | | $ | 1,790,233 |
| | | | | | |
Contract assets - beginning balance | | | 794,193 | | | 662,437 |
Contract assets - ending balance | | | 810,814 | | | 701,963 |
| | | | | | |
Contract liabilities - beginning balance | | | 626,306 | | | 602,007 |
Contract liabilities - ending balance | | | 776,984 | | | 849,479 |
Accounts Receivable
A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods and services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30-60 days.
Contract Assets
Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract. Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relates to sales commissions. We defer and amortize these costs over the expected customer life as the contract obligations are satisfied. We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contact is commensurate with the commission on the initial contract. During the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized expenses of $90,751 and $65,645, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs. Short-term contract assets are included in current assets under prepaid expenses and other current assets. Long-term contract assets are included in investments and other assets under other assets.
Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which are generally deferred. In addition, contract liabilities include customer deposits that are not recognized into revenue, but are instead returned to the customer after a holding period. Short-term contract liabilities include deferred revenues for advanced payments for managed services and other long-term contracts. This includes the current portion of the deferred revenues that will be recognized monthly within one year. Short-term contract liabilities are included in current liabilities under other accrued liabilities. Long-term contract liabilities include deferred revenues for advanced payments for managed services and other long-term contracts. This includes the portion longer than one year and the corresponding deferred revenues are recognized into revenue on a monthly basis based on the term of the contract. Long-term contract liabilities are included in noncurrent liabilities under other accrued liabilities.
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During the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenues of $186,639 and $182,475, respectively, related to deferred revenues.
Performance Obligations
ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of December 31, 2022. The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement. The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:
1. The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
2. Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.
The Company has elected these practical expedients. Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time. For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract. As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.
Note 3 – Leases
Under FASB’s ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which, together with its related clarifying ASUs, provided revised guidance for lease accounting and related disclosure requirements and established a right-to-use (ROU) model that requires lessees to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. The ASU also requires disclosures to allow financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.
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The following table includes the ROU assets and operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Short-term operating lease liabilities are included in current liabilities in other accrued liabilities. Long-term operating lease liabilities are included in noncurrent liabilities in other accrued liabilities.
Right of Use Asset | | Balance March 31, 2023 | | Balance December 31, 2022 |
Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | | $ | 1,255,835 | | $ | 1,341,029 |
| | | | | | |
Operating Lease Liability | | Balance March 31, 2023 | | Balance December 31, 2022 |
Short-Term Operating Lease Liabilities | $ | 361,576 | | $ | 356,400 |
Long-Term Operating Lease Liabilities | | 934,674 | | | 1,026,978 |
Total | | $ | 1,296,250 | | $ | 1,383,378 |
Maturity analysis under these lease agreements are as follows:
Maturity Analysis | | Balance March 31, 2023 |
2023 (remaining) | | $ | 323,152 |
2024 | | | 319,215 |
2025 | | | 130,863 |
2026 | | | 128,822 |
2027 | | | 131,626 |
Thereafter | | | 572,681 |
Total | | | 1,606,359 |
Less Imputed Interest | | | (310,109) |
Present Value of Operating Leases | | $ | 1,296,250 |
The following summarizes other information related to leases for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as follows:
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years) | 6.78 |
Weighted Average Discount Rate | 6.00% |
We amortize our leases over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the asset. Lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $105,608 and $87,289, respectively.
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Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
We have adopted the rules prescribed under GAAP for our financial assets and liabilities. GAAP includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
| Level 1: | Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| | |
| Level 2: | Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. |
| | |
| Level 3: | Inputs are derived from valuation techniques where one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable. |
We have used financial derivative instruments to manage our overall cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We accounted for derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP that requires derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments must be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met, in which case, the gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income rather than in earnings.
We have entered into IRSAs with our lender, CoBank, ACB (CoBank) to manage our cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and are effective at mitigating the risk of fluctuations on interest rates in the marketplace. Any gains or losses related to changes in the fair value of these derivatives are accounted for as a component of accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) for as long as the hedge remains effective.
The fair value of our IRSAs is discussed in Note 7 – “Interest Rate Swaps”. The fair value of our swap agreements were determined based on Level 2 inputs.
Other Financial Instruments
Other Investments - We conducted an evaluation of our investments in all of our investees in connection with the preparation of our audited financial statements at December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, we believe the carrying value of our investments is not impaired.
Debt – We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt based on the discounted future cash flows we expect to pay using current rates of borrowing for similar types of debt. Fair value of the debt approximates carrying value.
Other Financial Instruments - Our financial instruments also include cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable where the current carrying amounts approximate fair market value.
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Note 5 – Goodwill and Intangibles
We account for goodwill and other intangible assets under GAAP. Under GAAP, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are instead tested for impairment (i) on at least an annual basis and (ii) when changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be below its carrying value. These circumstances include, but are not limited to (i) a significant adverse change in the business climate, (ii) unanticipated competition or (iii) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. Determining impairment involves estimating the fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of (i) the income or discounted cash flow approach and (ii) the market approach that utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied value of goodwill. We recognize impairment loss when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Our goodwill totaled $49,903,029 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
In 2022 and 2021, we engaged an independent valuation firm to aid in the completion of our annual impairment testing for existing goodwill. For 2022 and 2021, the testing results indicated no impairment charge to goodwill as the determined fair value was sufficient to pass the impairment test.
Our intangible assets subject to amortization consist of acquired customer relationships, regulatory rights and trade names. We amortize intangible assets with finite lives over their respective estimated useful lives. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment. In addition, we periodically reassess the carrying value, useful lives and classifications of our identifiable intangible assets.
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The components of our identified intangible assets are as follows:
| | | | | March 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 |
| | | | | Gross Carrying Amount | | | | | | Gross Carrying Amount | | | |
| | Useful Lives | | | | | Accumulated Amortization | | | | | Accumulated Amortization |
| | | | | | | | | |
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customers Relationships | | 14-15 yrs | | $ | 42,878,445 | | $ | 30,835,621 | | $ | 42,878,445 | | $ | 30,429,708 |
Regulatory Rights | | 15 yrs | | | 4,000,000 | | | 4,000,000 | | | 4,000,000 | | | 4,000,000 |
Trade Name | | 3-5 yrs | | | 310,106 | | | 288,971 | | | 310,106 | | | 273,465 |
Indefinitely-Lived Intangible Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Video Franchise | | | | | 3,000,000 | | | - | | | 3,000,000 | | | - |
Spectrum | | | | | 877,814 | | | - | | | 877,814 | | | - |
Total | | | | $ | 51,066,365 | | $ | 35,124,592 | | $ | 51,066,365 | | $ | 34,703,173 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Identified Intangible Assets | | | | | | | $ | 15,941,773 | | | | | $ | 16,363,192 |
Amortization expense related to the definite-lived intangible assets was $421,419 and $488,084 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. Amortization expense for the remaining nine months of 2023 and the five years subsequent to 2023 is estimated to be:
● (April 1 – December 31)
|
$
|
1,238,876
|
● 2024
|
$
|
1,623,654
|
● 2025
|
$
|
1,618,732
|
● 2026
|
$
|
1,613,809
|
● 2027
|
$
|
906,667
|
● 2028
|
$
|
906,667
|
Note 6 – Secured Credit Facility
On July 15, 2022, Nuvera and CoBank entered into (i) an Agreement Regarding Amendments to Loan Documents and (ii) an Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Promissory Note. The agreements amended our existing credit facility with CoBank and secured a new credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $130.0 million.
Under the Agreements, among other things, (i) the Company received a $50.0 million term loan to replace existing debt, (ii) a $50.0 million delayed draw term loan, (iii) the Company’s revolving loan was increased from $20.0 million to $30.0 million, (iv) the maturity date of the term loans were set at July 15, 2029, and the maturity day of the revolving loan was set at July 15, 2027, and (v) the Company’s operating subsidiaries’ agreed to extend their previous guarantees, security interests and mortgages to cover the increased amount of the revolving note. The financing was secured to facilitate the Company’s advanced fiber-build plans announced on December 15, 2021. Refer to the Company’s 8-K filing with the SEC on July 20, 2022 for further details regarding the new credit agreements with CoBank
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Under the new credit agreement, the Company and its respective subsidiaries have entered into security agreements under which substantially all the assets of Nuvera and its respective subsidiaries have been pledged to CoBank as collateral. In addition, Nuvera and its respective subsidiaries have guaranteed all the obligations under the credit facility. The credit agreement contains certain customary events of default, which include failure to make payments when due, the material inaccuracy of representations or warranties, failure to observe or perform certain covenants, cross-defaults, bankruptcy and insolvency-related events, certain judgments, certain ERISA-related events, or a change in control (as defined in the credit agreement).
New Credit Agreement:
●
|
|
TERM A-1 LOAN - $50,000,000 term note with interest payable quarterly. Final maturity date of this note is July 15, 2029. Twelve quarterly principal payments of $625,000 are due commencing December 31, 2025 through September 30, 2028, and three quarterly principal payments of $937,500 commencing on December 31, 2028 through maturity date. A final balloon payment of $39,687,500 is due at maturity of this note on July 15, 2029.
|
●
|
|
DELAYED DRAW TERM LOAN - $50,000,000 Delayed Draw Term Loan with interest on any outstanding amounts payable quarterly. Final maturity date of this loan is July 15, 2029. Twelve quarterly principal payments of 1.25% of the outstanding loan balance are due commencing December 31, 2025 through September 30, 2028, and three quarterly principal payments of 1.875% of the outstanding loan balance commencing on December 31, 2028 through maturity date. A final balloon payment of the balance of the Delayed Draw Term Loan is due at maturity of this note on July 15, 2029. We currently have drawn $20,000,000 on this Delayed Draw Term Loan as of March 31, 2023.
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●
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REVOLVING LOAN - $30,000,000 revolving loan with interest payable quarterly. Final maturity date of this note is July 15, 2027. We currently have drawn $13,997,392 on this revolving note as of March 31, 2023.
|
The term loan borrowings initially bear interest at a “Margin for Base Rate Loans” of 2.15% above the applicable base rate. The margin for base rate loans for term loans increases as our “Leverage Ratio” increases. The revolving loan borrowings initially bear interest at a “Margin for Base Rate Loans” of 1.90% above the applicable base rate. The margin for base rate loans for revolving loans increases as our “Leverage Ratio” increases.
We generally use variable-rate debt to finance our operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. These variable-rate debt obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The terms of our credit facility with CoBank require that we enter into interest rate agreements designed to protect us against fluctuations in interest rates, in an aggregate principal amount and for a duration determined under the credit facility.
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Under the new credit facility, Nuvera has the ability to enter into IRSAs in connection with amounts borrowed from CoBank. In connection with the closing of the new credit facility, the Company “rolled over” its two exiting IRSAs.
As described in Note 7 – “Interest Rate Swaps,” on August 1, 2018 we entered into an IRSA with CoBank covering 25 percent of our then existing debt balance or $16,137,500 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank on August 1, 2018. As of December 31, 2022, our IRSA covered $10,662,650, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.61%.
As described in Note 7 – “Interest Rate Swaps,” on August 29, 2019 we entered into a second IRSA with CoBank covering an additional $42,000,000 of our then aggregate indebtedness to CoBank on August 29, 2019. As of December 31, 2022, our IRSA covered $29,885,505, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.94%.
Our remaining outstanding debt of $43.4 million remains subject to variable interest rates at an effective weighted average interest rate of 7.23%, as of March 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023 our additional delayed draw term loan of $30.0 million and unused revolving credit facility of $16.0 million are subject to an unused commitment fee of 0.25% annually, until drawn. Once drawn, this debt would be subject to an effective weighted average interest rate based on current rate of interest in effect at the time.
Our loan agreements include restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to our stockholders. However, we are allowed to pay dividends in an amount up to $3,000,000 in any year as long as no default or event of default have occurred. Our current Total Leverage Ratio as of March 31, 2023, was 3.35.
Our credit facility requires us to comply with specified financial ratios and tests. These financial ratios include total leverage ratio, debt service coverage ratio and equity to total assets ratio. At March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all the stipulated financial ratios in our loan agreements.
There are security and loan agreements underlying our current CoBank credit facility that contain restrictions on our distributions to stockholders and investment in, or loans, to others. Also, our credit facility contains restrictions that, among other things, limits or restricts our ability to enter into guarantees and contingent liabilities, incur additional debt, issue stock, transact asset sales, transfers or dispositions, and engage in mergers and acquisitions, without CoBank approval.
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Note 7 – Interest Rate Swaps
We assess interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely affect expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities.
We generally use variable-rate debt to finance our operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. These variable-rate debt obligations expose us to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The terms of our credit facility with CoBank required that we enter into interest rate agreements designed to protect us against fluctuations in interest rates, in an aggregate principal amount and for a duration determined under the credit facility.
Under the new credit facility, Nuvera has the ability to enter into IRSAs in connection with amounts borrowed from CoBank. In connection with the closing of the new credit facility, the Company “rolled over” its two exiting IRSAs.
To meet this objective, we have entered into an IRSA with CoBank covering 25 percent of our then existing outstanding debt balance or $16,137,500 of our aggregate indebtedness to CoBank at August 1, 2018. The swap effectively locked in the interest rate on 25 percent of our variable-rate debt through July 2025. Under this IRSA, we have changed the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the IRSA, we pay a fixed contractual interest rate and (i) make an additional payment if the SOFR variable rate payment is below a contractual rate or (ii) receive a payment if the SOFR variable rate payment is above the contractual rate.
On August 29, 2019, we entered into a second IRSA with CoBank covering an additional $42,000,000 of our then aggregate indebtedness to CoBank on August 29, 2019. The swap effectively locked in a significant portion of our variable-rate debt through July 2025. Under this IRSA, we have changed the variable rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the IRSA, we pay a fixed contractual interest rate and (i) make an additional payment if the SOFR variable rate payment is below a contractual rate or (ii) receive a payment if the SOFR variable rate payment is above the contractual rate.
Each month, we make interest payments to CoBank under its loan agreements based on the current applicable SOFR plus the contractual SOFR margin then in effect with respect to the loan, without reflecting our IRSAs. At the end of each calendar month, CoBank adjusts our aggregate interest payments based on the difference, if any, between the amounts paid by us during the month and the current effective interest rate. Net interest payments are reported in our consolidated income statement as interest expense.
Our IRSAs under our credit facilities both qualify as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes under GAAP. We reflect the effect of these hedging transactions in the financial statements. The unrealized gain/loss is reported in other comprehensive income. If we terminate our IRSAs, the cumulative change in fair value at the date of termination would be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss), which is classified in stockholders’ equity, into earnings on the consolidated statements of income.
The fair value of the Company’s IRSAs were determined based on valuations received from CoBank and were based on the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates appropriate with the terms of the IRSAs. The fair value indicates an estimated amount we would be required to pay if the contracts were canceled or transferred to other parties. At March 31, 2023, the fair value asset of these swaps were $1,767,954, which has been recorded net of deferred tax of $504,574, resulting in the $1,263,380 in accumulated other comprehensive gain. At March 31, 2022, the fair value gain these swaps was $916,460, which has been recorded net of deferred tax of $261,558, resulting in the $654,902 in accumulated other comprehensive gain.
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Note 8 – Other Investments
We are a co-investor with other communication companies in several partnerships and limited liability companies. These joint ventures make it possible to offer services to customers, including digital video services and fiber transport services that we would have difficulty offering on our own. These joint ventures also make it possible to invest in new technologies with a lower level of financial risk. We recognize income and losses from these investments on the equity method of accounting. For a listing of our investments, see Note 11 – “Segment Information.”
Nuvera recognized a net gain of $4,087,207 in book value in connection with the sale of the FiberComm interest.
The FASB requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the Company had not recorded any gains or losses on our investments.
Note 9 – Guarantees
On March 31, 2023, Nuvera and the other owners of FiberComm, LC (FiberComm) sold 100% of their interest in FiberComm to ImOn Communications, LLC. FiberComm had been providing high quality Internet and voice services to businesses in the Sioux City, Iowa market for over 20 years. Nuvera owned a 20% interest in FiberComm through its wholly owned subsidiary Peoples Telephone Company. Nuvera announced the execution of the FiberComm sale agreement in January 2023.
Prior to the sale of Nuvera’s equity investment in FiberComm, Nuvera had guaranteed a portion of a ten-year loan owed by FiberComm, set to mature on April 30, 2026. On March 31, 2023, upon closing of the sale, the loan was paid and Nuvera was released from their guarantee of loan.
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Note 10 – Incentive and Retirement Plans
In 2006, we implemented an Employee Incentive Plan for employees other than executive officers and a Management Incentive Plan for executive officers (collectively the 2006 Plan). In 2015, our BOD adopted and our shareholders approved our 2015 Employee Stock Plan, which permits the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of our Common Stock in stock awards for performance under the 2006 Plan. Each qualified employee of the Company may elect to receive up to 50% of their incentive compensation in Company Common Stock in lieu of cash. Each Company executive officer is required to receive 50% of their incentive compensation earned in Company Common Stock in lieu of cash. As of March 31, 2023, 149,747 shares remain available to be issued under the Plan.
Note 11 – Segment Information
We operate in the Communications Segment and have no other significant business segments. The Communications Segment consists of voice, data and video communication services delivered to the customer over our advanced fiber communications network. No single customer accounted for a material portion of our consolidated revenues.
The Communications Segment operates the following communications companies and has investment ownership interests as follows:
Communications Segment
● | Communications Companies: |
| • | | Nuvera Communications, Inc., the parent company; |
| • | | Hutchinson Telephone Company (HTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; |
| • | | Peoples Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; |
| • | | Scott-Rice Telephone Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; |
| • | | Sleepy Eye Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; |
| • | | Western Telephone Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvera; and |
| • | | Hutchinson Telecommunications, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HTC, located in Litchfield, Minnesota; |
● | Our investments and interests in the following entities include some management responsibilities: |
| • | | Broadband Visions, LLC (BBV) – 24.30% subsidiary equity ownership interest. BBV provides video headend and Internet services; |
| • | | Independent Emergency Services, LLC (IES) – 14.29% subsidiary equity ownership interest. IES is a provider of E-911 services to the State of Minnesota as well as a number of counties located in Minnesota; and |
| • | | Fiber Minnesota, LLC (FM) – 7.54% subsidiary equity ownership interest. FM is a Minnesota state-wide network that provides connectivity for regional businesses. |
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Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies
On December 15, 2021, the Company announced plans for a fiber network initiative. The Company has made commitments to purchase materials and entered into contracts with various parties to successfully build this next-generation fiber network. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding commitments for material of approximately $9.3 million and outstanding contract amounts of approximately $35.0 million.
We are involved in certain contractual disputes in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of any of these existing matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Our capital budget for 2023 is approximately $49.3 million and will be financed through our credit facility with CoBank debt financing and internally generated funds. The Company has committed to buying large quantities of fiber in 2023 to accommodate the building of its new advance fiber network.
Note 13 – Broadband Grants
On December 8, 2022, the Company was awarded four broadband grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The grants will provide up to 45.0% to 50.0% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed Internet in unserved and underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $8,594,688 of approximately $18,139,749 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 50.0% to 55.0% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects will begin in the spring of 2023. We have not received any funds for these projects as of March 31, 2023.
On January 29, 2021, the Company was awarded five broadband grants from the DEED. The grants will provide up to 35.4% of the total cost of building fiber connections to homes and businesses for improved high-speed Internet in unserved or underserved communities and businesses in the Company’s service area. The Company is eligible to receive $1,918,037 of the approximately $5,419,617 total project costs. The Company will provide the remaining 64.6% matching funds. Construction and expenditures for these projects began in the spring of 2021. We have received $396,360 for these projects as of March 31, 2023.
Note 14 – Stock Based Compensation
The Company’s 2017 Omnibus Stock Plan (2017 OSP) was adopted by the Company’s BOD on February 24, 2017 and approved by the Company’s shareholders at the May 25, 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The 2017 OSP enables the Company to grant stock incentive awards to current and new employees, including officers, and to Board members and service providers. The 2017 OSP permits stock incentive awards in the form of Options (incentive and non-qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance stock, performance units, and other awards in stock or cash. The 2017 OSP permits the issuance of up to 625,000 shares of our Common Stock in any of the above stock awards. As of March 31, 2023, 249,700 shares remain available for future grant under the 2017 OSP.
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Starting in 2017, our BOD and Compensation Committee granted RSU awards to the Company’s executive officers under the 2017 OSP. We recognize share-based compensation expense for these RSUs over the vesting period of the RSUs, which is determined by our BOD. Forfeitures of RSUs are accounted for as they occur. Each executive officer was eligible to receive time-based RSUs and performance-based RSUs. The time-based RSUs are computed as a percentage of the executive officer’s base salary based on the closing price of Company common stock on a date set by the BOD, and vest over a three-year period, subject to the executive officer being employed by the Company on the vesting date. The performance-based RSUs are also computed as a percentage of the executive officer’s base salary based on the closing price of Company common stock on a date set by the BOD and vest over a three-year period based on the Company attaining an average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) over that three-year period. The ROIC target is set by the BOD. Executive officers may earn more or fewer performance-based RSUs based on if the actual ROIC achieved over the time period is more or less than target. Upon vesting of either time-based or performance-based RSUs, the executive officers are issued Common Stock in exchange for the RSUs.
RSUs currently issued and outstanding are as follows:
|
|
Time-Based RSU's
|
|
Targeted Performance-Based RSU's
|
|
|
Closing Stock Price
|
|
Vesting Date
|
Balance at December 31, 2021
|
|
9,440
|
|
13,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
(1,685)
|
|
(4,325)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
(4,391)
|
|
(4,244)
|
|
$
|
17.18
|
|
12/31/2022
|
Balance at December 31, 2022
|
|
3,364
|
|
4,701
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2023
|
|
3,364
|
|
4,701
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
In 2022, after considerable study, discussion and interaction with our consultants, the Compensation Committee decided to replace RSUs with non-qualified stock Options (Options). The Compensation Committee believes that grants of Options more directly align management long-term equity compensation with increased shareholder value creation at a time when the Company is engaged in significant investment and transformation as part of its long-term strategy. The Compensation Committee also determined to extend the grant of Options to include Named Executive Officers, senior employee directors and other employee directors as key members of the Company leadership team and contributors of overall success.
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Table of Contents
As previously disclosed, the number of Options awarded was computed as a percentage of the employee’s base salary using a Black-Scholes formula using an exercise price equal to the closing price of Company common stock of $14.70 on March 31, 2023 and $21.20 on April 11, 2022. The 2023 Options will vest one-third each on March 31, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2022 Options will vest one-third each on April 11, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Closing Stock Price
|
|
Vesting Date
|
Balance at December 31, 2021
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
|
|
40,577
|
|
$
|
21.20
|
|
4/11/2023
|
Issued
|
|
40,583
|
|
$
|
21.20
|
|
4/11/2024
|
Issued
|
|
40,583
|
|
$
|
21.20
|
|
4/11/2025
|
Balance at December 31, 2022
|
|
121,743
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
|
|
51,431
|
|
$
|
14.70
|
|
3/31/2024
|
Issued
|
|
51,431
|
|
$
|
14.70
|
|
3/31/2025
|
Issued
|
|
51,432
|
|
$
|
14.70
|
|
3/31/2026
|
Balance at March 31, 2023
|
|
276,037
|
|
|
|
|
|
The grant date fair value of employee stock Option awards is determined using the Black Scholes Option-pricing model. The following assumptions were used during the following periods:
|
2023 Grants
|
|
2022 Grants
|
Exercise Price
|
$
|
14.70
|
|
$
|
21.20
|
Risk-Free Rate of Interest
|
|
2.957%
|
|
|
1.515%
|
Expected Term (Years)
|
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
Expected Stock Price Volatility
|
|
20.7%
|
|
|
18.1%
|
Dividend Yield
|
|
2.83%
|
|
|
2.44%
|
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Table of Contents
The following table summarizes the Company’s employee stock Option activity under the 2017 OSP, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders, for the following periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term (Years)
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in Thousands)
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
Granted
|
121,743
|
|
|
21.20
|
|
9.00
|
|
|
-
|
Forfeited
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022
|
121,743
|
|
$
|
21.20
|
|
9.00
|
|
$
|
-
|
Granted
|
154,294
|
|
|
14.70
|
|
9.75
|
|
|
-
|
Forfeited
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Outstanding as of March 2023
|
276,037
|
|
$
|
17.57
|
|
9.42
|
|
$
|
-
|
The Options had no intrinsic value as of March 31, 2023.
The weighted average grant date fair value per share for employee stock and non-employee Option grants during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $2.90. The weighted average grant date fair value per share for employee stock and non-employee Option grants during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, was $3.24. At March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested employee and non-employee stock Option awards granted was $714,496, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.63 years. At December 31, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested employee and non-employee stock Option awards granted was $299,434, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.28 years.
On March 13, 2023, the Company Board adopted changes to the Nuvera Communications, Inc. 2017 OSP. Most of the changes eliminate language specific to the requirements and limitations on grants under Internal Revenue Code Section162 (m), which has been repealed by Congress. This includes, in particular, provisions related to “Performance-Based Exception” in several sections of the 2017 OSP. The Board also increased the limit on annual grants from 50,000 to 100,000 shares per participant and eliminated separate provisions on new-hire stock grants and cash-based grants. The Board also made minor changes to other sections of the 2017 OSP. The Board did not increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2017 OSP or change the terms of eligibility for participants under the 2017 OSP. The foregoing description of the changes to the 2017 OSP does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2017 OSP, as amended, which is filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Table of Contents
Note 15 – Subsequent Events
We have evaluated and disclosed subsequent events through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.