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        Feb. 07, 2011  Feb. 15, 2011

4.5% Preferred Stock        $1.125       Feb. 15, 2011  Mar. 01, 2011

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. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.

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