Cleco Corporation Declares Regular Common and Preferred Dividends

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:

Class of Stock             Dividend        Record            Payment
                           Declared         Date              Date

Common Stock                $0.225      July 31, 2006     August 15, 2006

4.5% Preferred Stock        $1.125      August 15, 2006   September 1, 2006

Dividends were also 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 company headquartered in Pineville, La. It operates a regulated electric utility company that serves about 267,000 customers across Louisiana. Cleco also operates a wholesale energy business with approximately 1,350 megawatts of generating capacity. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.