UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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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) December 28, 2011
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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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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)
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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))    







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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 28, 2011, David Ebertz informed the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors that he plans to retire from the Board of Directors and will not seek reelection for an additional term at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May 2012. The Board will nominate a new Director for election in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Ebertz's departure.



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


 
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
By:/s/ Steven J. Helmers
 
      Steven J. Helmers
 
      Senior Vice President
 
        and General Counsel
 
 
Date:January 3, 2012
 





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