Cresco Labs Announces Signing of Senior Secured Credit Agreement
Initial Drawdown of up to US$100 million expected end of January; Agreement Includes Mutual Option to Increase to up to US$200 million
CHICAGO-January 23-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cresco Labs (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) (“Cresco” or the “Company”), one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States, announced today that it has entered into a non-brokered credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) for a senior secured term loan (the “Senior Loan”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to US$100 million, with a mutual option to increase the size of the facility to a maximum of US$200 million. The Company expects to complete an initial drawdown of up to US$100 million on or about January 30, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary funding conditions.
The proceeds from the Senior Loan will be used to fund the expansion of operations in Illinois, closing and integration costs associated with pending acquisitions, and other strategic growth initiatives in key markets.
This agreement reflects the strength and growth potential of the national platform Cresco has built as well as our ongoing commitment to execute a superior capital agenda for the benefit of shareholders. Through this deal, we have diversified the Company’s funding sources, improved our cost of capital in a non-dilutive manner and given ourselves flexibility in a dynamic capital environment.
Charlie Bachtell, CEO and Co-founder of Cresco Labs
As we enter 2020 and our business continues to increase its positive free cash flow, Cresco is well-positioned to continue growing its foothold in the most strategic cannabis markets in the U.S., while building the most important company in the industry.
Terms
Commitments under the Senior Loan are provided by a broad syndicate of lenders, including U.S. based institutional investors, demonstrating confidence in Cresco’s strategic position and reflecting the strong growth outlook for the US cannabis industry. Members of the Company’s management and board of directors will also be participating as investors in the Senior Loan. Each commitment under the Senior Loan may be for an 18-month or 24-month term, at the lender’s option. Loans made on the initial closing date will bear interest at a rate of approximately 12.7% per annum for 18-month loans and approximately 13.2% for 24-month loans, payable quarterly in arrears. The terms of the Senior Loan were negotiated at arm’s length with the agent and lead investor and include customary restrictive covenants.
About Cresco Labs
Cresco Labs is one of the largest vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the United States. Cresco is built to become the most important company in the cannabis industry by combining the most strategic geographic footprint with one of the leading distribution platforms in North America. Employing a consumer-packaged goods (“CPG”) approach to cannabis, Cresco’s house of brands is designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and includes some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, Remedi and Mindy’s, a line of edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Sunnyside*, Cresco’s national dispensary brand, is a wellness-focused retailer designed to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco has launched the industry’s first national comprehensive Social Equity and Educational Development (SEED) initiative designed to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work in and own businesses in the cannabis industry. Learn more about Cresco Labs at www.crescolabs.com.
