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<HEAD><TITLE>Black Hills Corp Form 8-K</TITLE></HEAD>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></H1>


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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM 8-K </FONT></H1>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934   </FONT></H1>
<BR>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) August 30, 2004 </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></H1>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>South Dakota<BR>(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation) </FONT></H1>

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     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"><B>             001-31303 </B>                     <BR>
     <B> (Commission File Number)</B>              <BR>
<BR>
   <B>625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 </B>           <BR>
       <B>Rapid City, South Dakota </B>            <BR>
   <B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B>
</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">             <B> 46-0458824</B><BR>
   <B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B><BR>
<BR>
              <B>57709-1400</B><BR>
               <B>(Zip Code)</B>
</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>



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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>605.721.1700<BR>(Registrant&#146;s
telephone number, including area code) </FONT></H1>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Not Applicable<BR>
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </FONT></H1>


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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 (<I>see</I>
General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 1.01 Entry into a
Material Definitive Agreement </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Registrant has entered into
certain employment related arrangements in conjunction with the August 30, 2004
appointment of David S. Smith to the position of Vice President &#150; Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer. A description of these arrangements has been provided below in
Item 5.02 &#147;Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Principal Officers&#148; of this Form 8-K. </FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 5.02 Departure of
Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On August 30, 2004, David S. Smith,
age 60, was appointed Vice President &#150; Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the
Registrant. The position of Controller and Chief Accounting Officer was previously held by
Roxann R. Basham, who recently was promoted to Vice President &#150; Governance and
Corporate Secretary. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Mr. Smith&#146;s
career has spanned 28 years with companies in energy,           telecommunications and
technology. Prior to his appointment as the           Registrant&#146;s Vice President
&#150; Controller and Chief Accounting Officer,           Mr. Smith served in various
accounting, treasury and executive roles that have           given him extensive
experience with business management, internal controls,           financial policy,
accounting and tax. From 1996 through February 2002, Mr. Smith           was the
Corporate Controller of Montana Power Company, which was previously a           publicly
traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. From April           2002 until
August 2003 he served as business consultant for the publicly traded           company,
Touch America, working on special projects related to disputes on
asset divestiture contracts. Most recently, from September 2003 until July
          2004, Mr. Smith served as Controller for a privately held software company.
None           of Mr. Smith&#146;s prior appointments have been with the Registrant or
any of           its subsidiaries or affiliates.  </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>In conjunction with Mr. Smith&#146;s
appointment, Mr. Smith and the Registrant have entered into a Change in Control Agreement
(form of Change in Control Agreement has previously been filed as Exhibit 10(af) to the
Registrant&#146;s Form 10-K for 1995) and Indemnification Agreement (form of
Indemnification Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Form 8-K) as have
previously been provided to other executive officers of the Registrant. The Change in
Control Agreement provides for certain payments and other benefits to be payable upon a
change in control and a subsequent termination of employment, either voluntary or for a
good reason. The Indemnification Agreement provides indemnity to the officer against
liabilities incurred in the performance of his duties to the extent allowed by South
Dakota corporation law and the Registrant&#146;s Bylaws. In addition, Mr. Smith was
granted, pursuant to the Registrant&#146;s Black Hills Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan
(filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant&#146;s Form 10-K for 2000), options to purchase
a total of 5,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock. These options have an
exercise price of $27.75 per share and expire 10 years from the grant date (form of Option
Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K). </FONT></P>



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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits </FONT></H1>



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<TD WIDTH=97%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits  </FONT></P></TD>
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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
of Stock Option Award Agreement  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.2 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
of Restricted Stock Award Agreement  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.3 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.4 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
of Performance Share Award Agreement  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.5 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
of Indemnification Agreement  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>SIGNATURES</U> </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>

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<TD WIDTH=25%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=75%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT>
</TD>
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<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BLACK
HILLS CORPORATION </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By:
&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>/s/ Mark T. Thies</U><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark T. Thies<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Vice President<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Chief Financial Officer </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date: September 3, 2004 </FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit Index </FONT></H1>


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<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Exhibit
No.</U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Description</U> </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.1
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form of Stock Option Award Agreement </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.2
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.3
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.4
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form of Performance Share Award Agreement </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.5
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form of Indemnification Agreement </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>


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Black Hills Corp Form 8-K
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) August 30, 2004
_________________
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________
South Dakota
(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31303
(Commission File Number)
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices)
46-0458824
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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))
Item 1.01 Entry into a
Material Definitive Agreement
The Registrant has entered into
certain employment related arrangements in conjunction with the August 30, 2004
appointment of David S. Smith to the position of Vice President – Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer. A description of these arrangements has been provided below in
Item 5.02 "Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Principal Officers" of this Form 8-K.
Item 5.02 Departure of
Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
On August 30, 2004, David S. Smith,
age 60, was appointed Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the
Registrant. The position of Controller and Chief Accounting Officer was previously held by
Roxann R. Basham, who recently was promoted to Vice President – Governance and
Corporate Secretary.
Mr. Smith's
career has spanned 28 years with companies in energy,           telecommunications and
technology. Prior to his appointment as the           Registrant's Vice President
– Controller and Chief Accounting Officer,           Mr. Smith served in various
accounting, treasury and executive roles that have           given him extensive
experience with business management, internal controls,           financial policy,
accounting and tax. From 1996 through February 2002, Mr. Smith           was the
Corporate Controller of Montana Power Company, which was previously a           publicly
traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. From April           2002 until
August 2003 he served as business consultant for the publicly traded           company,
Touch America, working on special projects related to disputes on
asset divestiture contracts. Most recently, from September 2003 until July
          2004, Mr. Smith served as Controller for a privately held software company.
None           of Mr. Smith's prior appointments have been with the Registrant or
any of           its subsidiaries or affiliates.
In conjunction with Mr. Smith's
appointment, Mr. Smith and the Registrant have entered into a Change in Control Agreement
(form of Change in Control Agreement has previously been filed as Exhibit 10(af) to the
Registrant's Form 10-K for 1995) and Indemnification Agreement (form of
Indemnification Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Form 8-K) as have
previously been provided to other executive officers of the Registrant. The Change in
Control Agreement provides for certain payments and other benefits to be payable upon a
change in control and a subsequent termination of employment, either voluntary or for a
good reason. The Indemnification Agreement provides indemnity to the officer against
liabilities incurred in the performance of his duties to the extent allowed by South
Dakota corporation law and the Registrant's Bylaws. In addition, Mr. Smith was
granted, pursuant to the Registrant's Black Hills Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan
(filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for 2000), options to purchase
a total of 5,000 shares of the Registrant's common stock. These options have an
exercise price of $27.75 per share and expire 10 years from the grant date (form of Option
Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K).
2
Item 9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(c)        Exhibits
10.1        Form
of Stock Option Award Agreement
10.2        Form
of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
10.3        Form
of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
10.4        Form
of Performance Share Award Agreement
10.5        Form
of Indemnification Agreement
3
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/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: September 3, 2004
4
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
No.
Description
10.1
                     Form of Stock Option Award Agreement
10.2
                     Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
10.3
                     Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
10.4
                     Form of Performance Share Award Agreement
10.5
                     Form of Indemnification Agreement
5