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style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:9pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:18.8%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_3_18_2021_To_3_18_2021_r4WJwwaMmk6QWF8P6piwVA" name="dei:TradingSymbol" id="Tc_BBS7ngtPH0ybBRWW0vjDVw_2_2"><span style="font-size:9pt;">CNSL</span></ix:nonNumeric></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:1.86%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:9pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:41.9%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_3_18_2021_To_3_18_2021_r4WJwwaMmk6QWF8P6piwVA" format="ixt-sec:exchnameen" name="dei:SecurityExchangeName" id="Tc_H-2YyIy4KUmopr30xA5FKg_2_4"><span style="font-size:9pt;">The Nasdaq Global Select Market</span></ix:nonNumeric></p></td></tr></table><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:9pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule&#160;405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule&#160;12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company</span><span style="font-size:9pt;">&#160;</span><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="Duration_3_18_2021_To_3_18_2021_r4WJwwaMmk6QWF8P6piwVA" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" id="Narr_B9WTN0mSo0mmSN00mUbH9g"><span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';font-size:9pt;">&#9744;</span></ix:nonNumeric></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:9pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&#160;13(a)&#160;of the Exchange Act. <span style="font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol';">&#9744;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;line-height:1pt;padding-bottom:1pt;padding-top:1pt;border-bottom:3.0pt solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="display:none;font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';line-height:0pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:0pt;font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><a id="_948dcca8_188e_4c24_9982_96c3d86f84da"></a></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;white-space:pre-wrap;">Item 1.01.  </b><b style="background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;">Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</b><b style="font-weight:bold;">.</b></p><a id="id_3"></a><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">On March 18, 2021, Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Consolidated Communications, Inc. (&#8220;CCI&#8221;) issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior secured notes due 2028 (the &#8220;Notes&#8221;). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 18, 2021 (the &#8220;Indenture&#8221;) among the Company, CCI, certain of their subsidiaries, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The Notes were offered in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), and outside the United States only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering of the Notes has not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements or a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.000% per annum, payable semiannually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2021. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2028.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The Notes are unsubordinated secured obligations of CCI, secured (subject to permitted liens and certain other exceptions) by first-priority liens on the collateral that secures the Company&#8217;s obligations under the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, as amended on January 15, 2021, among the Company, CCI, the other guarantors party thereto, certain lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the &#8220;Credit Agreement&#8221;) and CCI&#8217;s 6.500% senior secured notes due 2028 (the &#8220;Existing Notes&#8221;). The Notes are, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed on a first priority secured basis (subject to permitted liens and certain other exceptions) by the Company and each of the subsidiaries of the Company that guarantees the Credit Agreement and the Existing Notes.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">At any time prior to October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price based on a make-whole premium as described in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. At any time on or after October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem all or part of the Notes at certain redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, with net cash proceeds that are raised from one or more equity offerings of the Company or CCI, subject to certain exceptions.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of the Notes will have the right to require CCI to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of the repurchase.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The Indenture provides for customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods).</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The foregoing descriptions of the Indenture and the Notes are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture and the Form of Note, which are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Item 8.01. Other Events.</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">On March 18, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the issuance of the Notes. The press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;min-height:11.5pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Item&#160;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:10.8pt 59.6pt 0pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">(d)&#160;Exhibits</b></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><table style="border-collapse:collapse;font-size:16pt;height:max-content;padding-left:0pt;padding-right:0pt;width:100%;"><tr style="height:1pt;"><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="position:absolute;top:0pt;width:100%;"></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="position:absolute;top:0pt;width:100%;"></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="position:absolute;top:0pt;width:100%;"></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:9pt;margin:0pt 0.75pt 0pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">No.</b></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:9pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">Description</b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.75pt 0pt 0pt;">4.1</p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="cnsl-20210318xex4d1.htm"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:justify;">Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2021, by and among Consolidated Communications, Inc., Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., the other Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent</span></a>.</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.75pt 0pt 0pt;">4.2</p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="margin-right:0pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="cnsl-20210318xex4d1.htm"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:justify;">Form of 5.000% Senior Secured Note due 2028 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 hereto).</span></a></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.75pt 0pt 0pt;">99.1</p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="margin-right:0pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="cnsl-20210318xex99d1.htm"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:justify;">Press Release dated March 18, 2021</span></a>.</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;width:6.6%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.75pt 0pt 0pt;">104</p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:2.65%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="margin-right:0pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:top;width:90.73%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;text-align:justify;margin:0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt;">Cover Page&#160;Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)</p></td></tr></table><div style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10.0pt;margin-bottom:6pt;min-height:1.19em;position:relative;width:100%;"><div style="background-color:#000000;height:1pt;position:relative;top:0.6em;width:25.0%;border:none;margin:0 auto 0 0;"></div></div><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;font-weight:bold;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><a id="_c248e375_66e4_4b86_930b_2fe65e069e4e"></a></div></div>
<div style="background-color:#000000;clear:both;height:2pt;page-break-after:always;width:79.3%;border:0;margin:30pt 10.35% 30pt 10.35%;"></div><div style="max-width:100%;padding-left:10.35%;padding-right:10.35%;position:relative;"><div style="clear:both;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">SIGNATURE</p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</p><table style="border-collapse:collapse;font-size:16pt;height:max-content;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-left:0pt;padding-right:0pt;width:100%;"><tr style="height:1pt;"><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:2.97%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:51.57%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><div style="height:1pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;position:relative;"><div style="bottom:0pt;position:absolute;width:100%;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:54.55%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><b style="font-weight:bold;">CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS,&#160;INC.</b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;width:54.55%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Date: March 18, 2021</p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:2.97%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">By: </p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:51.57%;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">/s/ Steven L. Childers</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:2.97%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:51.57%;border-top:1px solid #000000;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Steven L. Childers</p></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:45.44%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:2.97%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;width:51.57%;margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</p></td></tr></table><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="font-size:1pt;margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="margin-bottom:12pt;visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p><p style="font-family:'Times New Roman','Times','serif';font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;"><span style="visibility:hidden;">&#8203;</span></p></div></div>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.", "cik": "0001304421", "assigned-sic": "4813", "irs-number": "020636095", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-51446", "film-number": "21754094"}, "business-address": {"street1": "121 SOUTH 17TH STREET", "city": "MATTOON", "state": "IL", "zip": "61938", "phone": "(217) 235-3311"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "121 SOUTH 17TH STREET", "city": "MATTOON", "state": "IL", "zip": "61938"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "Consolidated Communications Illinois Holdings, Inc.", "date-changed": "20040927"}}
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
​
FORM
8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
March 18, 2021
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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
000-51446
02-0636095
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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121 South 17th Street
Mattoon
,
Illinois
61938-3987
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
​
(
217
)
235-3311
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock – $0.01 par value
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CNSL
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The Nasdaq Global Select Market
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company
☐
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
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Item 1.01.
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
.
On March 18, 2021, Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Consolidated Communications, Inc. ("CCI") issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior secured notes due 2028 (the "Notes"). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 18, 2021 (the "Indenture") among the Company, CCI, certain of their subsidiaries, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent.
The Notes were offered in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and outside the United States only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering of the Notes has not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements or a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.
The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.000% per annum, payable semiannually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2021. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2028.
The Notes are unsubordinated secured obligations of CCI, secured (subject to permitted liens and certain other exceptions) by first-priority liens on the collateral that secures the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, as amended on January 15, 2021, among the Company, CCI, the other guarantors party thereto, certain lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the "Credit Agreement") and CCI's 6.500% senior secured notes due 2028 (the "Existing Notes"). The Notes are, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed on a first priority secured basis (subject to permitted liens and certain other exceptions) by the Company and each of the subsidiaries of the Company that guarantees the Credit Agreement and the Existing Notes.
At any time prior to October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price based on a make-whole premium as described in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. At any time on or after October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem all or part of the Notes at certain redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2023, CCI may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, with net cash proceeds that are raised from one or more equity offerings of the Company or CCI, subject to certain exceptions.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of the Notes will have the right to require CCI to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of the repurchase.
The Indenture provides for customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods).
The foregoing descriptions of the Indenture and the Notes are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture and the Form of Note, which are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On March 18, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the issuance of the Notes. The press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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No.
Description
4.1
Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2021, by and among Consolidated Communications, Inc., Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., the other Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent
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4.2
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Form of 5.000% Senior Secured Note due 2028 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
99.1
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Press Release dated March 18, 2021
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104
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
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Date: March 18, 2021
By:
/s/ Steven L. Childers
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Steven L. Childers
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Chief Financial Officer
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