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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>UNITED STATES
<BR>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT><BR><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Washington,
D. C. 20549 </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Form 8-K  </FONT></P>

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

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of <BR>The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>October 30, 2003<BR>
(Date of earliest event reported)  </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>South Dakota&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;001-31303&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46-0458824&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<BR>(State of Incorporation)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Commission File No.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(IRS Employer Identification Number)</FONT></P>







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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>625
Ninth Street<BR>P. O. Box 1400<BR>Rapid City, South
Dakota 57709<BR>(605) 721-1700 </FONT></P>



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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 12.</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Results of
Operations and Financial Condition</U>  </FONT></TD>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On October
30, 2003, the Registrant issued a press release announcing earnings for the third
quarter of 2003 of $0.69 per share.</FONT></TD>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.  This information
is being furnished pursuant to Item 12 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.  </FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>2 </FONT></P>


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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=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By:&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date: October 30, 2003 </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>





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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>EXHIBIT INDEX<BR>to<BR><BR>Black Hills Corporation<BR>
October 30, 2003 Form 8-K </FONT></P>


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<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibit
<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Number</U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Description</U> </FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;99  </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Press
Release dated October 30, 2003. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>4 </FONT></P>

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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k_103003.htm", "description": "BHC FORM 8-K DATED 10-30-03", "secsgml_size_bytes": 9346}]
{"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": "03967926"}, "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
October 30, 2003
(Date of earliest event reported)
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
South Dakota         
              001-31303      
                      
       46-0458824
(State of Incorporation)   (Commission File No.)   (IRS Employer Identification Number)
625
Ninth Street
P. O. Box 1400
Rapid City, South
Dakota 57709
(605) 721-1700
Item 12.
Results of
Operations and Financial Condition
On October
30, 2003, the Registrant issued a press release announcing earnings for the third
quarter of 2003 of $0.69 per share.
The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.  This information
is being furnished pursuant to Item 12 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.
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/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive
Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 30, 2003
3
EXHIBIT INDEX
to
Black Hills Corporation
October 30, 2003 Form 8-K
Exhibit
Number
Description
99
Press
Release dated October 30, 2003.
4