BHC Retirement Savings Plan 2003 11-K








SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K



ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

_________________

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003



Commission File Number 001-31303




BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
625 NINTH STREET
PO BOX 1400
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA 57709





Black Hills Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan

Financial Statements for the Years Ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, Supplemental
Schedule as of December 31, 2003, and
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS



Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
     1  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
  
   AND 2002:  
   
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
    2  
   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
    3  
   
Notes to Financial Statements
    4  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003--
  
   Schedule H, Line 4i--Schedule of Assets (Held At End of Year)    8  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Plan Administrator and Participants
Black Hills Corporation Retirement Savings Plan
Rapid City, South Dakota

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Black Hills Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule listed in the table of contents is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Such schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the 2003 basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the 2003 basic financial statements taken as a whole.

Deloitte & Touche LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 23, 2004


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002


2003 2002

CASH
    $ 409   $ --  

PARTICIPANT-DIRECTED INVESTMENTS--At market value
    37,000,373    28,804,091  

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVABLE:
  
   Employee    94,501    85,543  
   Employer    41,308    37,740  

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS PENDING
    1,452    27,547  

SETTLEMENTS PAYABLE
    (148,351 )  (116,115 )



NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
   $ 36,989,692   $ 28,838,806  


See notes to financial statements.

2


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002


2003 2002

NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS--
           
   Beginning of year   $ 28,838,806   $ 29,287,594  



INCREASES (DECREASES) DURING THE YEAR:
  
   Participant contributions    3,615,855    3,422,826  
   Employer matching contributions    1,382,581    1,266,616  
   Investment interest and dividends    1,052,910    663,187  
   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) in fair value of investments    4,617,345    (4,958,769 )
   Administrative expenses    (8,070 )  (5,230 )
   Distributions to participants    (2,509,735 )  (837,418 )


     Net increase (decrease) during the year    8,150,886    (448,788 )



NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS--End of year
   $ 36,989,692   $ 28,838,806  


See notes to financial statements.

3


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002


1.         DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

  The following is not a comprehensive description of the Black Hills Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) and, therefore, does not include all situations and limitations covered by the Plan. Participants should refer to the plan agreement for more complete information.

  GeneralThe Plan is a defined contribution plan for eligible employees of Black Hills Corporation and certain subsidiary companies (the “Company”). The eligible employees may have a percentage of their compensation withheld and contributed to the Plan, subject to limitations, as defined. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and is designed to comply with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

  Merrill Lynch serves as the asset custodian and recordkeeper. The Plan is administered by the Black Hills Corporation Benefits Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee is the trustee of the Plan.

  Plan ExpensesAdministrative fees of approximately $58,604 and $78,188 were paid by the Company in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Administrative expenses for loan fees are paid by the Plan.

  Eligibility and VestingEmployees are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of employment.

  Participants are immediately vested in the value of their pretax salary reduction contributions. Participants vest 20% per year in employer matching contributions until reaching five years of service. At that time, participants are 100% vested in employer matching contributions. Participants also become fully vested in employer matching contributions if their employment with the Company is terminated due to retirement at or after attainment of age 65, total and permanent disability, or death.

  Forfeitures from participants who have terminated from the Plan prior to attaining 100% vesting rights are used to reduce the Company’s annual matching contributions. During 2003 and 2002, forfeitures of $61,878 and $21,934, respectively, were used to reduce the Company’s annual matching contribution.

  ContributionsThe maximum percentage of compensation an employee may contribute to the Plan is 20%, with an annual maximum contribution of $12,000 for 2003, as provided by the Code. There is no limit to how often participants may change their contribution percentages. Amounts contributed are invested at the discretion of plan participants in any of the 17 investment options or individual investments as directed by the participant.

  Effective January 1, 2000 (May 1, 2000 for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement), the Plan was amended to include a dollar-for-dollar company matching contribution, up to a maximum of 3% of an individual participant’s compensation. Effective April 1, 2001, there is an automatic enrollment provision in which eligible employees who are employed on or after April 1, 2001 shall be deemed to have made an automatic election to participate in the Plan at a rate of 3%.

4


  Rollover ContributionsThe Plan received $238,563 and $308,509 in rollover transfers from other qualified plans in 2003 and 2002, respectively, which are included in participant contributions on the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits.

  Participant LoansThe Plan contains a loan provision that allows participants to borrow a minimum of $500 and a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balances at an interest rate of 1% over the prime interest rate and to repay the loan through payroll deductions, with a maximum repayment period of five years. During 2003 and 2002, interest rates on outstanding participant loans ranged from 5.0% to 10.5% and from 5.25% to 10.50%, respectively. Loans are prohibited for terminated employees.

  Distributions to ParticipantsEmployee account balances are distributable upon retirement, disability, death, termination from the Company, or hardship. Upon the occurrence of one of these events, a participant (or the participant’s beneficiary in the case of death) may receive his or her account balance as a lump-sum payment or as installment payments over a period of no more than ten years.

  Amendments and TerminationThe Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time. Upon termination of the Plan, participants become 100% vested, and all assets will be distributed among the participants in accordance with plan provisions.

2.        SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

  Basis of AccountingThe accompanying financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting.

  Investment Valuation and Income RecognitionInvestments of the Plan are stated at market value. Shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments represent the difference between the net proceeds from the sale of investments and their beginning-of-year market value. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the investments represents changes in the market value of investments.

  Purchases and sales of securities are reflected on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recognized when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

  Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of changes in net assets available for benefits during the reporting period. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates.

3.        INVESTMENTS

  The investment options of the Plan at December 31, 2003 include collective trusts of Merrill Lynch, mutual funds, common stock of the Company, and other investments as self-directed by participants. Units (shares) of the various investment funds are valued daily at net asset value (which equals market value). The investment options are participant-directed and participants may change their investment elections daily.

5


  The following presents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets as of December 31:

2003 2002

Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust
    $ 7,186,669   $ 6,018,714  
Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust 1    3,652,670    2,897,359  
Davis New York Venture Fund    2,198,338    1,551,041  
Black Hills Corporation common stock    8,878,939    7,817,931  

  During 2003 and 2002, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:

2003 2002

Common stock
    $ 1,003,093   $ (1,898,159 )
Mutual funds    2,748,715    (2,186,767 )
Common collective trusts    865,537    (873,843 )


    $ 4,617,345   $ (4,958,769 )



4.        TAX STATUS

  The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on October 9, 2001, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter; however, the plan administrator and the Plan’s legal counsel believe that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, as a result, no provision for income tax is believed necessary.

5.        PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

  The Plan invests in Merrill Lynch funds and Black Hills Corporation stock. These transactions qualify as exempt party-in-interest transactions.

6.        RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

  The Plan provides for investment in a variety of investment funds. Investments in general are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of the investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

* * * * * *

6
























SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
(EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 46-0458824) (PLAN NUMBER: 003)

SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i—SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (Held At End of Year)
DECEMBER 31, 2003


Description Cost** Current
Value

Collective trusts:
             
   Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust 1*       $ 3,652,670  
   Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust 1--GM*        227,993  
   Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust*        7,186,669  
   Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust--GM*        316,503  

       Total collective trusts        11,383,835  

Mutual funds:
  
   AIM Small Cap Growth Fund Class A        299,909  
   PIMCO Total Return Fund--Class A        1,532,423  
   PIMCO Total Return Fund--Class A--GM        772,570  
   PIMCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund--Class A        148,939  
   Munder Framlington Health Care Fund        488,054  
   Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund        195,168  
   Seligman Communications Fund        1,386,055  
   Oppenheimer Global Fund        1,233,967  
   Templeton Foreign Fund        1,649,258  
   Oppenheimer US Government Fund        225,553  
   Templeton Foreign Fund        436,927  
   Franklin Balance Sheet Fund        1,024,891  
   Massachusetts Investors Stock Fund--Class A        1,396,175  
   Massachusetts Investors Growth Fund--Class A        487,418  
   Davis New York Venture Fund        2,198,338  
   Davis New York Venture Fund--GM        340,949  
   Van Kampen Real Estate Securities Fund        469,700  
   Merrill Lynch Capital Fund--Class D*        907,901  

       Total mutual funds        15,194,195  

Common stock--
  
   Black Hills Corporation*        8,878,939  

Self-directed accounts--CMA money fund
        550,995  

Participant loans, with interest rates ranging from 5.25% to 10.5%--
  
   Maturity dates extending through December 31, 2008*        992,409  

                                                                                             $ 37,000,373  

*   Denotes party-in-interest
**Cost is not required for participant-directed accounts

8


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Description
 
23
 
                    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
   





SIGNATURE

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

  Black Hills Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan

  By /s/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer

Date: June 25, 2004

9


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Description
 
23
 
                    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
   

10