<html>
<head>
    <title>form8k_jan28-2010.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: sd700bh-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 5.1.2.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. -->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font>
<div>
<hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%"></div></div></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">UNITED STATES</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">___________</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FORM 8-K</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">____________</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT REPORT</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 28, 2010</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">____________</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">BLACK HILLS CORPORATION</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">____________</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">South Dakota</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="20%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">001-31303</font></div></td>
<td valign="top" width="29%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="25%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">46-0458824</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="20%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Commission File Number)</font></div></td>
<td valign="top" width="29%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="25%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="20%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="29%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="25%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td align="left" colspan="2" rowspan="2" valign="top" width="49%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Rapid City, South Dakota</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="25%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">57709-1400</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="49%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Zip Code)</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">605.721.1700</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="20%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="31%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="23%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Not Applicable</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td colspan="4" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</font></div></td></tr></table></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">____________</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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 style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">see</font> General Instruction A.2. below):</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div>
<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1</font></div>
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2"></div></div>
<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div></div>
<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 2.02&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On January 28, 2010, Black Hills Corporation (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) issued a press release announcing 2009 financial results.&#160;&#160;Income from continuing operations for fourth quarter 2009 was $32.4 million, or $0.84 per share, compared to loss from continuing operations for fourth quarter 2008 of $96.6 million, or $2.52 per share.&#160;&#160;Net
income for the three months ending December 31, 2009, was $32.8 million, or $0.85 per share, compared to a net loss of $98.8 million, or $2.58 per share for the same period in 2008.</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For the twelve months ending December 31, 2009, income from continuing operations was $78.8 million, or $2.04 per share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $52.0 million or $1.37 per share for the same period ending December 31, 2008.&#160;&#160;Net income for the twelve months ending December 31, 2009, was $81.6 million, or
$2.11 per share, compared to $105.1 million or $2.75 per share, reported for the same period in 2008.</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.&#160;&#160;This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be &#8220;filed&#8221; for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall
it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(d)</font></div></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Exhibits</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="67%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The following exhibits are furnished or filed herewith:</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="67%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Press release dated January 28, 2010.</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="67%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr></table></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div>
<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2</font></div>
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2"></div></div>
<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div></div>
<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">SIGNATURES</font></font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>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></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">BLACK HILLS CORPORATION</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;/s/ Anthony S. Cleberg</font></font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 20.95pt"></font>Anthony S. Cleberg</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 21.8pt"></font>Executive Vice President</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 26.1pt"></font>and Chief Financial Officer</font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="40%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date:&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;January 28, 2010</font></div></td>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr></table></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div>
<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3</font></div>
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2"></div></div>
<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></div></div>
<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Exhibit Index</font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">Exhibit No.</font></font></div></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">Description</font></font></div></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="67%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td></tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="13%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99</font></div></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Press release dated January 28, 2010.</font></div></td></tr></table></div>
<div>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr valign="top">
<td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
<div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div></td>
<td>
<div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<br></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4</font></div>
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2"></div></div>
<br></div></body>
</html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k_jan28-2010.htm", "description": "FORM 8K EARNINGS FOR YE 2009", "secsgml_size_bytes": 28623}]
{"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": "10555311"}, "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"}}
form8k_jan28-2010.htm
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 28, 2010
____________
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):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
1
Item 2.02                      Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On January 28, 2010, Black Hills Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing 2009 financial results.  Income from continuing operations for fourth quarter 2009 was $32.4 million, or $0.84 per share, compared to loss from continuing operations for fourth quarter 2008 of $96.6 million, or $2.52 per share.  Net
income for the three months ending December 31, 2009, was $32.8 million, or $0.85 per share, compared to a net loss of $98.8 million, or $2.58 per share for the same period in 2008.
For the twelve months ending December 31, 2009, income from continuing operations was $78.8 million, or $2.04 per share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $52.0 million or $1.37 per share for the same period ending December 31, 2008.  Net income for the twelve months ending December 31, 2009, was $81.6 million, or
$2.11 per share, compared to $105.1 million or $2.75 per share, reported for the same period in 2008.
The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.  This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall
it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01                      Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are furnished or filed herewith:
99           Press release dated January 28, 2010.
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/ Anthony S. Cleberg
Anthony S. Cleberg
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date:          January 28, 2010
3
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
99
Press release dated January 28, 2010.
4