PINEVILLE, LA--(Marketwire - 07/31/09) - The Board of Directors of Cleco Corporation (NYSE:CNL - News) today declared regular quarterly dividends on the Company's common stock and preferred stock. Following is a summary of dividend payments, as declared:

 
                         Dividend        Record              Payment
Class of Stock           Declared         Date                 Date
--------------           --------        ------              -------

Common Stock              $0.225     August 10, 2009      August 17, 2009

4.5% Preferred Stock      $1.125     August 17, 2009      September 1, 2009

The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan which allows dividends on its common and preferred stock to be reinvested in additional shares of common stock at market price. Brokerage commissions and administrative fees are incurred on dividend purchases.

Cleco Corp. is a regional energy company headquartered in Pineville, La. It operates a regulated electric utility company that serves about 276,000 customers across Louisiana. Cleco also operates a wholesale energy business with approximately 1,350 megawatts of name plate capacity. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.

 
Investor Contacts:
Cleco Corporation:
Russell Davis
(318) 484-7501
Shareholder Services:
Rodney Hamilton
(318) 484-7593
Media Contact:
Fran Phoenix
(318) 484-7467