Cleco Corporation Declares Regular Common and Preferred Dividends

Business Wire, July 22, 2005

PINEVILLE, La. -- The Board of Directors of Cleco Corporation (NYSE:CNL) 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 1, 2005     August 15, 2005
4.50% Preferred Stock   $1.125    August 15, 2005    September 1, 2005

Dividends also were declared on preferred stock held in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

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 provider headquartered in Pineville, La. It operates a regulated electric utility company that serves about 265,000 customers across Louisiana. Cleco also operates a wholesale energy business that has approximately 1,400 megawatts of generating capacity. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.