Cleco named one of the nation’s top utilities in economic development for second consecutive year
PINEVILLE, La. – Sept. 2, 2026 – Site Selection magazine has named Cleco one of the nation’s top electric utilities in Economic Development for a second year in a row, as the company continues to assist in bringing new businesses, investment and jobs to Louisiana.
Cleco made the list for the first time in 2025. The 2026 list includes 21 utilities.
“Being among the top utilities in economic development for the second consecutive year is another proud moment for Cleco,” said Eric Schouest, vice president of marketing and governmental affairs. “Economic development is an important part of Cleco’s value proposition. When we get new businesses to locate in our state and service area, we create opportunities for residents, strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for our customers.”
The list is compiled by Site Selection, a leading publication covering corporate real estate, facility planning, location analysis and foreign direct investment. It’s based on a formula that evaluates corporate facility investment and job creation within each utility’s service territory in 2025, using both cumulative and per-capita results. Additional criteria include an annual questionnaire and research conducted by Site Selection staff.
In 2025, Cleco’s Economic Development team supported and facilitated approximately $400 million in announced capital investment and 3,500 new jobs across its service territory. Building on that momentum, the team recently launched an AI-powered economic development assistant at clecodev.com, providing site selectors, businesses and economic development partners with quick access to information about available sites, communities, and business relocation and expansion opportunities throughout Cleco’s service territory.
“From working alongside our local, regional and state economic development partners to investing in new tools and technology, our focus continues to be on making it easier for companies to choose Louisiana,” said Richard Cornelison, Cleco’s director of economic development. “This list represents best-in-class economic development performance, and we’re excited to be among the best for the second year in a row.”
The complete 2026 list can be viewed in the September 2026 issue at 2026 Top U.S. Utilities in Economic Development.
Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through Cleco Power LLC, a regulated electric utility company that owns eight generating units with a rated capacity of 2,676 MWs and serves approximately 298,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.
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