CNL Cleco Corp.

The Board of Directors of Cleco Corp. (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:

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

Common Stock                     $0.25         May 10, 2010    May 15, 2010

4.5% Preferred Stock             $1.125        May 17, 2010    June 1, 2010

The $0.25 per common share dividend represents an 11 percent increase over the previous quarterly dividend of $0.225 per common share.

Cleco 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, Cleco Power LLC, which serves about 277,000 retail customers across Louisiana. Cleco also operates a wholesale energy business, Cleco Midstream Resources LLC, which includes the pending sale of Acadia Power Station Unit 2. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Cleco Power serving Louisiana customers. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.

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