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

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><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) July 14, 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>


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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></p> </td> </tr>
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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>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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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>001-31303</font></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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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></p> </td> </tr>
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        <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&nbsp;File&nbsp;Number)</font></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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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&nbsp;Employer&nbsp;Identification&nbsp;No.)</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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'><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'><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></p> </td>
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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>57709-1400</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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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>(Zip Code)</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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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>605.721.1700</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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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>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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        <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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
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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>Not Applicable</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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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>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="12" ></td>

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<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>Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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;'><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>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Item 2.01</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>As previously disclosed on Form 8-Ks filed on February 8, 2007, February 1, 2008 and April 30, 2008, Black Hills Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) entered into agreements with Aquila, Inc. (&#147;Aquila&#148;) to acquire the gas utilities operated by Aquila in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and the electric utility operated by Aquila in Colorado, together with certain related assets, for $940 million in cash.  At the same time we entered into our agreements with Aquila, Aquila also entered into an agreement with Great Plains Energy Incorporated (&#147;Great Plains&#148;) for the merger of a subsidiary of Great Plains with and into Aquila.  Each transaction was contingent on the completion of the other transaction, meaning that one transaction could not be completed unless the other transaction was completed.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>On July 14, 2008, all conditions to closing were met and the Company completed the purchase of the four natural gas utilities in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, the electric utility in Colorado and certain related assets.  The $940 million purchase price was financed through a $380 million borrowing on the Company&#146;s $1 billion acquisition facility and from cash proceeds generated from the Company&#146;s sale of seven independent power plants on July 11, 2008.</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'><b><font size=2>Item 2.03</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-1in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>On July 14, 2008, in conjunction with the closing of the Aquila acquisition described under Item 2.01 above, the Company borrowed $380 million under its $1 billion acquisition Credit Agreement dated May 7, 2007.  The loan matures on February 5, 2009, and bears interest either at the prime rate if it is a Base Rate Loan or at LIBOR plus 0.55% if it is a Euro Dollar Loan.  The initial loan is a Base Rate Loan bearing interest at 5.0%.  The Credit Agreement dated as of May 7, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company&#146;s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-1in;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'><b><font size=2>Item 8.01</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Other Events</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<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:0.51in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>On July 14, 2008, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the purchase of the Aquila properties.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  This press release is being &#147;furnished&#148; and shall not be deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; 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, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.</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'><b><font size=2>Item 9.01</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>
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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="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>(a)</font></p> </td>
        <td  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>Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The financial statements of the assets acquired will be filed by amendment to this report no later than September 29, 2008.</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>&nbsp;</font></p> </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>(b)</font></p> </td>
        <td  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>Pro Forma Financial Information</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The pro forma financial information of the Company reflecting the assets acquired will be filed by amendment to this report no later than September 29, 2008.</font></p>

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


<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Exhibits</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=2>99.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="577" 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 July 14, 2008, issued by Black Hills Corporation.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<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;'><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:0.51in;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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            <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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            <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;</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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            <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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            <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;July 14, 2008</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></table>
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<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>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'>
<font size=2>Exhibit Index</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; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;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=2>99.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="577" 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 July 14, 2008, issued by Black Hills Corporation.</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="62" 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="577" 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></table>
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<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:center;'><font size=2>4</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": "08951514"}, "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) July 14, 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 2.01
Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
As previously disclosed on Form 8-Ks filed on February 8, 2007, February 1, 2008 and April 30, 2008, Black Hills Corporation (the "Company") entered into agreements with Aquila, Inc. ("Aquila") to acquire the gas utilities operated by Aquila in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and the electric utility operated by Aquila in Colorado, together with certain related assets, for $940 million in cash.  At the same time we entered into our agreements with Aquila, Aquila also entered into an agreement with Great Plains Energy Incorporated ("Great Plains") for the merger of a subsidiary of Great Plains with and into Aquila.  Each transaction was contingent on the completion of the other transaction, meaning that one transaction could not be completed unless the other transaction was completed.
On July 14, 2008, all conditions to closing were met and the Company completed the purchase of the four natural gas utilities in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, the electric utility in Colorado and certain related assets.  The $940 million purchase price was financed through a $380 million borrowing on the Company's $1 billion acquisition facility and from cash proceeds generated from the Company's sale of seven independent power plants on July 11, 2008.
Item 2.03
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant
On July 14, 2008, in conjunction with the closing of the Aquila acquisition described under Item 2.01 above, the Company borrowed $380 million under its $1 billion acquisition Credit Agreement dated May 7, 2007.  The loan matures on February 5, 2009, and bears interest either at the prime rate if it is a Base Rate Loan or at LIBOR plus 0.55% if it is a Euro Dollar Loan.  The initial loan is a Base Rate Loan bearing interest at 5.0%.  The Credit Agreement dated as of May 7, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01
Other Events
On July 14, 2008, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the purchase of the Aquila properties.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  This press release is being "furnished" 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, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a)
Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired
The financial statements of the assets acquired will be filed by amendment to this report no later than September 29, 2008.
(b)
Pro Forma Financial Information
The pro forma financial information of the Company reflecting the assets acquired will be filed by amendment to this report no later than September 29, 2008.
2
(d)
Exhibits
99.1
Press Release, dated July 14, 2008, issued by Black Hills Corporation.
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:  July 14, 2008
3
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
99.1
Press Release, dated July 14, 2008, issued by Black Hills Corporation.
4