Power REIT: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024
Filed with the SEC on Aug 7, 2024 and accepted by EDGAR at Aug 7, 2024, 17:25 ET.
Management's discussion and analysis
As filed, 25,069 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements as statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “assume” or other similar expressions, or negatives of those expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements contained in this Report regarding our future strategy, future operations, projected financial position, estimated future revenues, projected costs, future prospects, the future of our industries and results that might be obtained by pursuing management’s current or future plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those identified below, under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report, and those identified under Part I, Item 1A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2024 (the “2023 10-K”). Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of the filing of this Report. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these matters or how they may affect us. Over time, our actual results, performance, financial condition or achievements may differ from the anticipated results, performance, financial condition or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences may be significant and materially adverse to our security holders. Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof, and we make no commitment to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events, circumstances or changes in expectations.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
We are a Maryland-domiciled, internally-managed real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) that owns a portfolio of real estate assets related to transportation, energy infrastructure and Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) in the United States.
We are structured as a holding company and own our assets through twenty-four direct and indirect wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiaries that have been formed in order to hold real estate assets, obtain financing and generate lease revenue. As of June 30, 2024, the Trust’s assets consisted of approximately 112 miles of railroad infrastructure and related real estate which is owned by its subsidiary Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“P&WV”), approximately 447 acres of fee simple land leased to a number of utility scale solar power generating projects with an aggregate generating capacity of approximately 82 Megawatts (“MW”) and approximately 249 acres of land with approximately 2,112,000 square feet of existing or under construction CEA properties in the form of greenhouses.
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Trust accrued quarterly dividends of approximately $326,000 ($0.484375 per share per quarter) on Power REIT’s 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock.
Our primary objective is to maximize the long-term value of the Trust for our shareholders. To that end, our business goals are to obtain the best possible rental income at our properties in order to maximize our cash flows, net operating income, funds from operations, funds available for distribution to shareholders and other operating measures and results, and ultimately to maximize the values of our properties.
To achieve this primary goal, we have developed a business strategy focused on increasing the values of our properties, and ultimately of the Trust, which includes:
- Raising capital by monetizing the embedded value in our portfolio to improve our liquidity position and, as appropriate reducing debt levels to strengthen our balance sheet;
- Selling off non-core properties and underperforming assets;
- Seeking to re-lease properties that are vacant or have non-performing tenants
- Raising the overall level of quality of our portfolio and of individual properties in our portfolio;
- Improving the operating results of our properties; and
- Taking steps to position the Company for future growth opportunities.
Recent Developments
On January 8, 2024, two wholly owned subsidiaries of Power REIT, PW CO CanRE Sherman 6 LLC and PW CO CanRE MF LLC, sold two cannabis related greenhouse cultivation properties located in Ordway, Colorado to an affiliate of a tenant of one of the properties. The properties are described in prior filings as Sherman 6 (the tenant of which is affiliated with the tenant/purchaser) and Tamarack 14 which was vacant. The purchaser is an unaffiliated third party and the price was established based on an arm’s length negotiation. The sale price was $1,325,000. As part of the transaction, a subsidiary of the Trust provided seller financing in the amount of $1,250,000 with an initial 10% interest rate that increases over time to 15% until maturity. The seller financing has a three-year maturity with a fixed amortization schedule of $75,000 for the first month, $40,000 for the second and third months, $45,000 for the fourth month and $15,000 per month thereafter until maturity. The note is secured by a first mortgage on the properties and certain corporate and personal guarantees.
On January 30, 2024, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power REIT, PW Salisbury Solar LLC, sold its interest in a ground lease related to utility scale solar farms located in Salisbury, Massachusetts for gross proceeds of $1.2 million. The purchaser is an unaffiliated third party and the price was established based on an arm’s length negotiation. As part of the transaction, the Municipal Debt and the PWSS Term Loan were paid off.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, PW MillPro NE LLC, (“PW MillPro”), owns a 1,121,513 square foot greenhouse cultivation facility (the “MillPro Facility”) on an approximately 86-acre property and a separate approximately 4.88-acre property with a 21-room employee housing building (the “Housing Facility”) located in O’Neill, Nebraska (collectively the “Property”). Unfortunately, the market for tomatoes compressed and the original tenant was unable to meet its financial obligations and vacated the property. In February of 2024, PW MillPro entered into a 20-year triple-net lease with a tenant with an initial rent of $1 million per year after a 6-month deferred rent period along with a Letter of Intent to purchase the property for $9.2 million with a deadline of December 31, 2024. There can be no assurance that the tenant will fulfill its lease obligations or purchase the property and the tenant is currently in default on the lease.
Improving Our Balance Sheet by Reducing Debt and Leverage; Maintaining Liquidity
Leverage
We continue to seek ways to reduce our debt and debt leverage by improving our operating performance and through a variety of other means available to us. These means might include leasing vacant properties, selling properties, raising capital or through other actions.
Capital Recycling
In the later part of 2022, we commenced property reviews to establish a plan for the portfolio and, where appropriate, have been disposing of and seeking to dispose of properties that we do not believe meet financial and strategic criteria given economic, market and other circumstances. Disposing of these properties can enable us to redeploy or recycle our capital to other uses, such as to repay debt, to reinvest in other real estate assets and development and redevelopment projects, and for other corporate purposes. Along these lines, in 2023 and 2024 we completed sales of assets for total gross proceeds of approximately $9.81 million which included $2.1 million of seller financing provided to the buyers. We also have several properties that we are marketing for sale and/or lease which have been classified as “Assets Held for Sale.”
Improving Our Portfolio
We are currently seeking to refine our property holdings by selling properties and/or re-leasing them in an effort to improve the overall performance going forward.
Taking Steps to Position the Company for Future Growth Opportunities
We are taking steps designed to position the Trust to create shareholder value. In connection therewith, we have implemented processes designed to ensure strong internal discipline in the use, harvesting and recycling of our capital, and these processes will be applied in connection with seeking to reposition properties.
We may continue to seek to acquire, in an opportunistic, selective and disciplined manner, properties that have operating metrics that are better than or equal to our existing portfolio averages, and that we believe have strong potential for increased cash flows and appreciation in value. Taking advantage of any acquisition opportunities would likely involve some use of debt or equity capital. We will pursue transactions that we expect can meet the financial and strategic criteria we apply, given economic, market and other circumstances. In addition, we are exploring the potential to use our existing corporate structure for strategic transactions including potentially merging assets or companies with the Trust.
The following table is a summary of the Trust’s properties as of June 30, 2024:
| Property Type/Name Railroad Property | Acres | Size1 | Gross Book Value3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| P&WV - Norfolk Southern | 112 miles | $9,150,000 | |
| Solar Farm Land | |||
| California | |||
| PWRS | 447 | 82 | 9,183,548 |
| Solar Total | 447 | 82 | $9,183,548 |
| Greenhouse - Cannabis | |||
| Ordway, Colorado | |||
| Maverick 1 2,4,6,7 | 5.20 | 16,416 | 1,594,582 |
| Tamarack 182,4,6 | 2.11 | 12,996 | 1,075,000 |
| Maverick 142,4,6,7 | 5.54 | 26,940 | 1,908,400 |
| Tamarack 72,4,6 | 4.32 | 18,000 | 1,364,585 |
| Tamarack 7 (MIP)2,5,6 | 636,351 | ||
| Tamarack 192,4,6 | 2.11 | 18,528 | 1,311,116 |
| Tamarack 8 - Apotheke 2,5,6 | 4.31 | 21,548 | 2,061,542 |
| Tamarack 132,4,6,7 | 2.37 | 9,384 | 1,031,712 |
| Tamarack 32,4,6 | 2.20 | 24,512 | 2,080,414 |
| Tamarack 27 and 282,4,6 | 4.00 | 38,440 | 1,872,340 |
| Sherman 21 and 22 2,4,6,7 | 10.00 | 24,880 | 1,782,136 |
| Maverick 5 - Jacksons Farms 2,5,6 | 5.20 | 15,000 | 1,358,634 |
| Tamarack 4 and 52,4,6,7 | 4.41 | 27,988 | 2,239,870 |
| Walsenburg, Colorado 2,4,6,7 | 35.00 | 102,800 | 4,219,170 |
| Desert Hot Springs, California2,5,6,7 | 0.85 | 37,000 | 7,685,000 |
| Vinita, Oklahoma4,6,7 | 9.35 | 40,000 | 2,593,313 |
| Marengo Township, Michigan2,4,6,7 | 61.14 | 556,146 | 24,171,151 |
| Greenhouse - Food Crop | |||
| O’Neill, Nebraska2,4,5 | 90.88 | 1,121,153 | 9,350,000 |
| Greenhouse Total | 248.99 | 2,111,731 | $68,335,316 |
| Total Portfolio (Real Estate Owned) | $86,668,864 | ||
| Mortgage Loan | $850,000 | ||
| Mortgage Loan8 | 1,095,000 | ||
| Impairment | 35,808,092 | ||
| Depreciation and Amortization | 7,245,887 | ||
| Net Book Value Net of Impairment, Depreciation and Amortization | $45,559,885 |
1 Solar Farm Land size represents Megawatts and CEA property size represents greenhouse square feet
2 Security for the Greenhouse Loan
3 Gross Book Value for our Greenhouse Portfolio represents purchase price (excluding capitalized acquisition costs) plus improvements costs
4Property is vacant
5Tenant is not current on rent/in default
6An impairment has been taken against this asset
7Asset held for sale
8Loan secured by a first mortgage (Ordway properties) sold on January 8, 2024 and is security for the Greenhouse Loan
Critical Accounting Estimates
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in the periods presented. We believe that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to inherent uncertainties in making estimates, actual results may differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods. The critical accounting estimates that affect the consolidated financial statements and the judgments and assumptions used are consistent with those described under Part II, Item 7 of the 2023 10-K.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $519,349 and $217,898, respectively. Revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2024, consisted of revenue from lease income from direct financing lease (railroad) of $228,750, total rental income of $229,779 consisting of $200,779 from Regulus (solar farm) and $29,000 from Colorado cannabis tenants and other income of $60,820 consisting of interest income. The $301,451 increase in total revenue was primarily related to the Trust writing off a net amount of $300,164 (which resulted in negative rental income for the three months ended June 30, 2023), in straight-line rent receivable against rental income based on its assessment of collecting all remaining contractual rent on the greenhouse property leases. Expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to 2023 increased by $17,255,181 primarily due to an increase in non-cash impairment expense of $17,449,424 of property values and an increase in interest expense of $492,674 due to the default interest rate and late charges, forbearance fees, legal fees, foreclosure fees and appraisal fees caused by the default of the Greenhouse Loan offset by a decrease in depreciation expense of $421,300 as many of the properties are considered held for sale and not depreciated, a decrease in property expense of $130,934, a decrease in general and administrative expense of $105,030, and a decrease in property taxes of $29,653. Net loss attributable to common shares during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $19,308,376 and $2,354,646, respectively. Net loss attributable to common shares increased by $16,953,730.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $1,053,961 and $1,222,630, respectively. Revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2024, consisted of revenue from lease income from direct financing lease (railroad) of $457,500, total rental income of $490,418 consisting of $401,558 from Regulus (solar farm) and $88,860 from Colorado and California cannabis tenants, and other income of $106,043 consisting of interest income. The decrease in total revenue was primarily related to a $133,889 decrease in rental income from the cannabis tenants due to defaulted leases related to the challenges within the cannabis industry and a decrease in other income of $34,780. Expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to 2023 increased by $18,036,955 primarily due to an increase in non-cash impairment expense of $17,998,981 of property values and an increase in interest expense of $970,414 due to the default interest and late charges, forbearance fees, legal fees, foreclosure fees and appraisal fees related to the Greenhouse loan, offset by a decrease in depreciation expense of $537,811 as many of the properties are considered held for sale and not depreciated, a decrease in property expense of $271,751, a decrease of $44,217 in property tax and a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $78,661. Other income/expense recognizes a decrease in gain on sale by $646,058 due to a smaller gain of on the disposal of two properties in January, 2024 and loan modification expense decreases by $160,000. Net loss attributable to common shares during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $21,548,581 and $2,856,899, respectively. Net loss attributable to common shares increased by $18,691,682.
For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we accrued a cash dividend to our holders of Series A Preferred Stock of $326,414 and $326,414, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $2,935,628 as of June 30, 2024, a decrease of $1,169,256 from December 31, 2023. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the decrease in cash was primarily due to the monthly expenses related to the vacant greenhouse properties and paydown of the Greenhouse Loan.
Our current loan liabilities totaled approximately $16.4 million as of June 30, 2024. The current loan liabilities include approximately $15.7 million of a bank loan secured by the majority of the greenhouse portfolio (the “Greenhouse Loan”) and which is in default and is non-recourse to the Trust. We are not current on payment of property taxes for the greenhouse portfolio which are included on the Balance Sheet as accrued expenses and liabilities held for sale for approximately $920,000. If the property tax remains delinquent, the greenhouse portfolio will be subject to foreclosure actions starting in 2025.
Of the total amount of cash, approximately $2.5 million is non-restricted cash available for general corporate purposes and $480,000 is restricted cash related to the Greenhouse Loan.
For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Trust determined that there was substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern as a result of current liabilities that far exceed current assets, net losses incurred, expected reduced revenue and increased property expenses related to the greenhouse portfolio.
In early 2024, the Trust sold three properties which should help with liquidity. The net proceeds from the sale of the Salisbury, MA property was approximately $662,000 of unrestricted cash and the approximately $456,000 loan was retired at closing and is eliminated from current liabilities. The other sale produced approximately $53,000 of restricted cash and should generate cash flow from the seller financing provided that should help with liquidity to service the Greenhouse Loan.
The Greenhouse Loan is in default and in March 2024, the lender filed a litigation seeking among other things, foreclosure and appointment of a receiver. Since the Greenhouse Loan is non-recourse to Power REIT which means that in the event it cannot resolve issues with the lender and they foreclose on the properties, Power REIT should be able to continue as a going concern albeit with a smaller portfolio of assets given that non-restricted cash should provide greater than twelve months of liquidity for capital needs unrelated to the greenhouse properties which are security for the Greenhouse Loan. If we cannot resolve matters with the lender, it may lead to distressed sales which would have a negative impact on our prospects. A forbearance agreement with the lender for the Greenhouse Loan was effective on May 10, 2024, which provides additional time to retire the loan. The expiration date of the forbearance agreement is September 30, 2024. We are in discussions with the lender to continue a process of orderly sales of assets to try and maximize value but there can be no assurance the bank will extend the forbearance. There can be no assurance that our efforts to sell, re-lease or recapitalize the assets which are security for the Greenhouse Loan will ultimately retire the loan per the requirements of the forbearance agreement.
As of the filing date, The Trust’s current liabilities far exceed current assets. If the Trust’s plan to focus on selling properties, entering into new leases, improving cash collections from existing tenants and raising capital in the form of debt or equity is effectively implemented, the Trust’s plan could potentially provide enough liquidity. However, the Trust cannot predict, with certainty, the outcome of its actions to generate liquidity.
Our cash outlays at Power REIT (parent company) consist principally of professional fees, consultant fees, NYSE American listing fees, legal, insurance, shareholder service company fees, auditing costs and general and administrative expenses. Our cash outlays related to our various property-owning subsidiaries consist principally of principal and interest expense on debts, property maintenance, property taxes, insurance, legal as well as other property related expenses that are not covered by tenants. To the extent we need to raise additional capital to meet our obligations, there can be no assurance that financing on favorable terms will be available when needed. If we are unable to sell certain assets when anticipated at prices anticipated, we may not have sufficient cash to fund operations and commitments.
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS – NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We assess and measure our overall operating results based upon an industry performance measure referred to as Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”) which management believes is a useful indicator of our operating performance. Core FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. Core FFO should not be construed as a substitute for net income (loss) (as determined in accordance with GAAP) for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance or financial position, as Core FFO is not defined by GAAP. The following is a definition of this measure, an explanation as to why we present it and, at the end of this section, a reconciliation of Core FFO to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Management believes that alternative measures of performance, such as net income computed under GAAP, or Funds From Operations computed in accordance with the definition used by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), include certain financial items that are not indicative of the results provided by our asset portfolio and inappropriately affect the comparability of the Trust’s period-over-period performance. These items include non-recurring expenses, such as one-time upfront acquisition expenses that are not capitalized under ASC-805 and certain non-cash expenses, including stock-based compensation expense, amortization and certain up front financing costs. Therefore, management uses Core FFO and defines it as net income excluding such items. We believe that Core FFO is a useful supplemental measure for the investing community to employ, including when comparing us to other REITs that disclose similarly Core FFO figures, and when analyzing changes in our performance over time. Readers are cautioned that other REITs may use different adjustments to their GAAP financial measures than we use, and that as a result, our Core FFO may not be comparable to the FFO measures used by other REITs or to other non-GAAP or GAAP financial measures used by REITs or other companies.
A reconciliation of our Core FFO to net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023 is included in the table below:
CORE FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months ended June 30, 2024 | 2023 | Six Months ending June 30, 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $519,349 | $217,898 | $1,053,961 | $1,222,630 |
| Net Loss | $(19,145,169) | $(2,191,439) | $(21,222,167) | $(2,530,485) |
| Stock-Based Compensation | 190,676 | 225,357 | 407,151 | 452,366 |
| Interest Expense - Amortization of Debt Costs | 7,819 | 21,476 | 15,696 | 42,951 |
| Amortization of Intangible Lease Asset | 56,872 | 56,872 | 113,744 | 113,744 |
| Depreciation on Land Improvements | 183,410 | 604,710 | 671,607 | 1,209,418 |
| Impairment Expense | 17,449,424 | - | 17,998,981 | - |
| Gain on sale of property | - | - | (394,394) | (1,040,452) |
| Core FFO Available to Preferred and Common Stock | (1,256,968) | (1,283,024) | (2,409,382) | (1,752,458) |
| Preferred Stock Dividends | (163,207) | (163,207) | (326,414) | (326,414) |
| Core FFO Available to Common Shares | $(1,420,175) | $(1,446,231) | $(2,735,796) | $(2,078,872) |
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (basic) | 3,389,661 | 3,389,661 | 3,389,661 | 3,389,661 |
| Core FFO per Common Share | (0.42) | (0.43) | (0.81) | (0.61) |
Market risk
As filed, 146 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Controls and procedures
As filed, 1,738 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures (as defined Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) (to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. The design and operation of a control system must also reflect that there are resource constraints and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on our evaluation, we believe that our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2024 were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Risk factors
As filed, 13,358 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
The Trust’s results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties as described in the 2023 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. The following information updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” contained in the 2023 10-K. You should carefully consider the risks set forth in the 2023 10-K and the following risks, together with all the other information in this Report, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. If any of the risks actually materialize, our operating results, financial condition and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Except as disclosed below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the 2023 10-K.
The investment portfolio is, and in the future may continue to be, concentrated in its exposure to a relatively few numbers of investments, industries and lessees.
Historically, the Trust’s revenue has been concentrated to a relatively limited number of investments, industries and lessees. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, Power REIT collected approximately 90% of its consolidated revenue from two properties. The tenants are Norfolk Southern Railway and Regulus Solar LLC which represent 48% and 42% of consolidated revenue, respectively. As we see additional properties, our revenue may be concentrated in a smaller number of investments.
We are exposed to risks inherent in this sort of investment concentration. Financial difficulty or poor business performance on the part of any single lessee or a default on any single lease will expose us to a greater risk of loss than would be the case if we were more diversified and holding numerous investments, and the underperformance or non-performance of any of its assets may severely adversely affect our financial condition and results from operations. Our lessees could seek the protection of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, which could result in the rejection and termination of our lease agreements and could cause a reduction in our cash flows. Furthermore, we may continue to concentrate our investment activities in the CEA and cannabis sectors, which subjects us to more risks than if we were diversified across many sectors. At times, the performance of the infrastructure sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole.
If our acquisitions or our overall business performance fail to meet expectations, the amount of cash available to us to pay dividends may decrease and we could default on our loans, which are secured by collateral in our properties and assets.
We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to pay dividends at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends from time to time. Also, restrictions and provisions in any credit facilities we enter into or any debt securities we issue may limit our ability to pay dividends. We cannot assure you that you will receive dividends at a particular time, or at a particular level, or at all.
Unfortunately, our tenants related to the greenhouse portfolio have failed to perform on their lease obligations which has created a significant liquidity issue related to this portfolio of assets. Power REIT entered into a Greenhouse Loan with initial availability of $20 million that is non-recourse to Power REIT and has liens against the Power REIT greenhouse portfolio of properties. The balance of the loan as of June 30, 2024, is approximately $15,700,000 and is in default. In March 2024, the lender filed a litigation seeking among other things, foreclosure and appointment of a receiver. Unfortunately, this may lead to distressed sales which would have a negative impact on our prospects. If we should fail to generate sufficient revenue to pay our outstanding secured debt obligations, the lenders may foreclose on the security pledged decreasing our ability to generate revenue and our ability to pay dividends. In addition, Maryland law prohibits the payment of dividends if we are unable to pay our debts as they come due. A forbearance agreement with the lender for the Greenhouse Loan was effective on May 10, 2024, which provides additional time to retire the loan. The expiration date of the forbearance agreement is September 30, 2024. There can be no assurance that our efforts to sell, re-lease or recapitalize the assets which are security for the Greenhouse Loan will ultimately retire the loan per the requirements of the forbearance agreement.
PW Regulus Solar, LLC (“PWRS”), one of our subsidiaries, entered into the 2015 PWRS Loan Agreement (as defined below) that is non-recourse to Power REIT and secured by all of PWRS’ interest in the land and intangibles. As of June 30, 2024, the balance of the 2015 PWRS Loan was approximately $6,783,000 (net of unamortized debt costs of approximately $224,000).
Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railroad (“PWV”), one of our subsidiaries, entered into a Loan Agreement in the amount of $15,500,000 that is non-recourse to Power REIT and secured by our equity interest in our subsidiary PWV which is pledged as collateral. The balance of the loan as of June 30, 2024 is $14,306,000 (net of approximately $272,000 of capitalized debt costs).
We have substantial debt and preferred shares outstanding with substantial liquidation preference, which could adversely affect our overall financial health and our operating flexibility.
We may need to raise additional capital or sell additional properties to fund our operations in order to continue as a going concern.
As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $47.3 million and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $21.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $25.8 million and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $15 million. As of June 30, 2024, the Trust had approximately $2.9 million of cash and approximately $16.4 million of current loan liabilities. The current loan liabilities include approximately $15.7 million of a bank loan secured by the majority of the greenhouse portfolio (the “Greenhouse Loan”) and which is non-recourse to the Trust.
Of the total amount of cash, approximately $2.5 million is non-restricted cash available for general corporate purposes and $480,000 is restricted cash related to the Greenhouse Loan.
For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, the Trust determined that there was substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern as a result of net losses incurred, expected reduced revenue and increased property maintenance expenses related to the greenhouse portfolio.
While the current liabilities far exceed the current assets, if the Trust’s plan to focus on selling properties, entering into new leases, improving cash collections from existing tenants and the raising capital in the form of debt or equity is effectively implemented, the Trust’s plan could potentially provide enough liquidity to fund its operations. However, the Trust cannot predict, with certainty, the outcome of its actions to generate liquidity, including its ability to sell properties, and the failure to do so could negatively impact its future operations.
In early 2024, the Trust sold three properties which should help with liquidity. The net proceeds from the sale of the Salisbury, MA property was approximately $662,000 of unrestricted cash and the approximately $456,000 loan was retired at closing and is eliminated from current liabilities. The other sale produced approximately $53,000 of restricted cash and will generate cash flow from seller financing provided that should help with liquidity to service the Greenhouse Loan.
The Greenhouse Loan is in default and we continue to work with the bank to establish a path forward. However, the Greenhouse Loan is non-recourse to Power REIT which means that in the event it cannot resolve issues with the bank and they foreclose on the properties, Power REIT should be able to continue as a going concern albeit with a significantly smaller portfolio of assets. In March 2024, the lender filed a litigation seeking among other things, foreclosure and appointment of a receiver (See Note 6 – LONG-TERM DEBT). A forbearance agreement with the lender for the Greenhouse Loan was entered into effective May 10, 2024, which provides additional time to retire the loan. The expiration date of the forbearance agreement is September 30, 2024. We are in discussions with the lender to continue a process of orderly sales of assets to try and maximize value but there can be no assurance the bank will extend the forbearance. There can be no assurance that our efforts to sell, re-lease or recapitalize the assets which are security for the Greenhouse Loan will ultimately retire the loan per the requirements of the forbearance agreement.
The issuance of securities with claims that are senior to those of our common shares, including our Series A Preferred Stock, may limit or prevent us from paying dividends on its common shares. There is no limitation on our ability to issue securities senior to the Trust’s common shares or incur indebtedness.
Our common shares are equity interests that rank junior to our indebtedness and other non-equity claims with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us, and junior to our preferred securities that by their terms rank senior to our common shares in our capital structure, including our Series A Preferred Stock. As of June 30, 2024, we had outstanding debt in the principal amount of $37.4 million and $9.6 million (par value) of Series A Preferred Stock. This debt and these preferred securities rank senior to the Trust’s common shares in our capital structure. We expect that in due course we may incur more debt, and issue additional preferred securities as we pursue our business strategy.
In the case of indebtedness, specified amounts of principal and interest are customarily payable on specified due dates. In the case of preferred securities, such as our Series A Preferred Stock, holders are provided with a senior claim to distributions, according to the specific terms of the securities. In contrast, however, in the case of common shares, dividends are payable only when, as and if declared by the Trust’s board of trustees and depend on, among other things, the Trust’s results of operations, financial condition, debt service requirements, obligations to pay distributions to holders of preferred securities, such as the Series A Preferred Stock, other cash needs and any other factors that the board of trustees may deem relevant or that they are required to consider as a matter of law. The incurrence by the Trust of additional debt, and the issuance by the Trust of additional preferred securities, may limit or eliminate the amounts available to the Trust to pay dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock and common shares.
From time to time, our management team may own interests in our lessees or other counterparties, and may thereby have interests that conflict or appear to conflict with the Trust’s interests.
On occasion, our management may have financial interests that conflict, or appear to conflict with the Trust’s interests. For example, four of Power REIT’s properties were leased by tenants in which Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp., formerly Millennium Investment & Acquisition Company (ticker: MILC) had controlling interests. David H. Lesser, Power REIT’s Chairman and CEO, is also Chairman and CEO of MILC. MILC established cannabis cultivation projects in Colorado (through a loan), Oklahoma, and Michigan which are related to our May 21, 2021, June 11, 2021, and September 3, 2021 acquisitions and a food crop cultivation project in Nebraska related to our March 31, 2022 acquisition. Total rental income recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from the affiliated tenants in Colorado, Oklahoma, Michigan and Nebraska was $0. The above leases are currently in default and the Trust is evaluating the best path forward related thereto. Also, a portion of the property improvement budget contained in a lease amendment with NorthEast Kind Assets, LLC for the property located in Maine, amounting to $2,205,000, was to be supplied by IntelliGen Power Systems LLC which is owned by HBP, an affiliate of David Lesser, Power REIT’s Chairman and CEO. On January 23, 2023, the lease was amended to restructure the timing of rent payments and eliminate the funding of remaining capital improvements for the cogeneration project, which includes eliminating payments that were expected to be paid to IntelliGen, a related party. As of June 30, 2024, $1,102,500 had been paid to IntelliGen for equipment supplied.
Although our Declaration of Trust permits this type of business relationship and a majority of our disinterested trustees must approve, and in those instances did approve, Power REIT’s involvement in such transactions, in any such circumstance, there may be conflicts of interest between Power REIT on one hand, and subsidiaries of MILC, IntelliGen, Mr. Lesser and his affiliates and interests on the other hand, and such conflicts may be unfavorable to us.
Figures reported in this filing
Standardized line items from the XBRL in this filing, for the period ended 2024-06-30. Comparative periods it repeats are left out.
| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | $519.3k | us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax |
| Revenue | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | $1.1m | us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax |
| Interest expense | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | $1.1m | us-gaap:InterestExpense |
| Interest expense | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | $2.2m | us-gaap:InterestExpense |
| Net income | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$19.1m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Net income | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$21.2m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Diluted EPS | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$5.70 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Diluted EPS | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$6.36 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Basic EPS | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$5.70 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Basic EPS | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$6.36 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months2024-04-01 to 2024-06-30 | 3,389,661 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding |
| Diluted shares (weighted) | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | 3,389,661 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding |
| Operating cash flow | 6 months2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30 | −$943.7k | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Cash and equivalents | At period end2024-06-30 | $2.5m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| Total assets | At period end2024-06-30 | $49.8m | us-gaap:Assets |
| Current liabilities | At period end2024-06-30 | $16.4m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent |
| Total liabilities | At period end2024-06-30 | $39.8m | us-gaap:Liabilities |
| Long-term debt | At period end2024-06-30 | $20.4m | us-gaap:LongTermDebtNoncurrent |
| Current portion of debt | At period end2024-06-30 | $16.4m | us-gaap:LongTermDebtCurrent |
| Shareholders' equity | At period end2024-06-30 | $322.6k | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001493152-24-030609. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 29, 2026, 04:32 ET. Listed shows no prices and gives no investment advice.