UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 1, 2008

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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)

____________

 

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 June 1, 2008 the Company entered into new Change in Control Agreements (Agreements) with each of its Senior Executive Officers, David R. Emery, Thomas M. Ohlmacher, Linden R. Evans, Steven J. Helmers, Maurice T. Klefeker and James M. Mattern. The new Agreements replace the Change in Control Agreements dated June 30, 2005 which expired on June 1, 2008. The new Agreements have a termination date of June 1, 2011.

The Agreement entered into with David R. Emery, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, provides for a payment equal to 2.99 times the officer’s base salary and annual incentive target if there is a Change in Control. The Agreement entered into with each of the other senior executive officers provides for a payment equal to two (2) times the officer’s base salary plus annual incentive target if there is a Change in Control. The specific benefits and the definition of a Change in Control are fully described in the form of Agreements. Mr. Emery’s Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 and the form of Agreement for the other Senior Executive Officers is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

Exhibits

10.1

Change in Control Agreement dated June 1, 2008 between Black Hills Corporation and David R. Emery

10.2

Form of Change in Control Agreement between Black Hills Corporation and its Non-CEO Senior Executive Officers

 

 

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:  June 4, 2008

 

 

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit #

10.1

Change in Control Agreement dated June 1, 2008 between Black Hills Corporation and David R. Emery

10.2

Form of Change in Control Agreement between Black Hills Corporation and its Non-CEO Senior Executive Officers

 

 

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