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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;border-bottom:solid 2.25pt;padding-bottom:1;padding-top:0;'><font size=5>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=5>UNITED STATES</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=5>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=3>___________</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=3>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=5>FORM 8-K</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=3>____________</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=3>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=2>CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=2>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=3>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 16, 2008</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=3>____________</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=3>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=5>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=3>____________</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=3>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="93%" style='margin-left:23.4pt;border-collapse:collapse'>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>South Dakota</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="4" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="162" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>001-31303</font></b><b></b></p> </td>
        <td width="234" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>46-0458824</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="162" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(Commission File Number)</font></b><b></b></p> </td>
        <td width="234" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="162" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td width="234" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="2" rowspan=2 valign=top style='padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 </font></b></p>
<p style='margin-left:12.6pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Rapid City, South Dakota</font></b></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(Address of principal executive offices)</font></b><b></b></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>57709-1400</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(Zip Code)</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="4" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>605.721.1700</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="4" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="162" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td>
        <td width="186" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b>&nbsp;</b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="4" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Not Applicable</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="4" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</font></b><b></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="162" ></td>

        <td width="234" ></td>

        <td width="12" ></td>

        <td width="186" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=3>____________</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>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 (</font><i><font size=2>see</font></i><font size=2> General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;border-bottom:solid 2.25pt;padding-bottom:1;padding-top:0;'><font size=5>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>1</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in; text-indent:-0.75in;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item&nbsp;5.02&nbsp;&nbsp;Departure&nbsp;of&nbsp;Directors&nbsp;or&nbsp;Principal&nbsp;Officers;&nbsp;Election&nbsp;of&nbsp;Directors;&nbsp;Appointment&nbsp;of&nbsp;Principal&nbsp;Officers</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(b)</font><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>Effective January 18, 2008, Mark T. Thies resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Black Hills Corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;).</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(e)</font><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>Effective January 18, 2008, the Registrant entered into a Severance and Release Agreement (the &#147;Agreement&#148;) with Mark T. Thies, whose resigned from employment with the Registrant effective January 18, 2008.  Under the Agreement, the Registrant will pay Mr. Thies the sum of $350,000, the reimbursement of COBRA premium cost of continued health care coverage for a period of twelve (12) months and outplacement assistance.    </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in; text-indent:-0.75in;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item&nbsp;9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b></p>


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     <tr >
        <td  width="24">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(d)</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top style='padding:5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Exhibits</font></p> </td>
        <td  width="197">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="24" ></td>

        <td width="48" ></td>

        <td width="16" ></td>

        <td width="56" ></td>

        <td width="197" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:5pt; margin-left:0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="559" style='margin-left:59.4pt;border-collapse:collapse'>
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        <td width="120" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>Exhibit Number</font></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="439" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>Description</font></u><u></u></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="120" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>10</font></p> </td>
        <td width="439" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Severance and Release Agreement between Black Hills Corporation and Mark T. Thies dated January 18, 2008.</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="120" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>99</font></p> </td>
        <td width="439" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Press release dated January 16, 2008, issued by the Registrant.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:5pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
</p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>2</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font SIZE=2>SIGNATURES</font></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>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.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font SIZE=2>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>/s/ Steven J. Helmers</font></u>                                                                                                                                                </p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:21.0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Steven J. Helmers</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:21.75pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Senior Vice President</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:26.25pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>and General Counsel</font></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="319" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;January 18, 2008</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>3</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS CORP /SD/", "cik": "0001130464", "assigned-sic": "4911", "irs-number": "460458824", "state-of-incorporation": "SD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-31303", "film-number": "08538081"}, "business-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID CITY", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709", "phone": "6057212343"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS HOLDING CORP", "date-changed": "20001222"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________
FORM 8-K
____________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 16, 2008
____________
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________
South Dakota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31303
46-0458824
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices)
57709-1400
(Zip Code)
605.721.1700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
____________
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 (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
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))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
1
Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
(b)
Effective January 18, 2008, Mark T. Thies resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Black Hills Corporation (the "Registrant").
(e)
Effective January 18, 2008, the Registrant entered into a Severance and Release Agreement (the "Agreement") with Mark T. Thies, whose resigned from employment with the Registrant effective January 18, 2008.  Under the Agreement, the Registrant will pay Mr. Thies the sum of $350,000, the reimbursement of COBRA premium cost of continued health care coverage for a period of twelve (12) months and outplacement assistance.
Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Description
10
Severance and Release Agreement between Black Hills Corporation and Mark T. Thies dated January 18, 2008.
99
Press release dated January 16, 2008, issued by the Registrant.
2
SIGNATURES
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.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Steven J. Helmers
Steven J. Helmers
Senior Vice President
and General Counsel
Date:  January 18, 2008
3