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Workplace Safety 2023

Scholarships & Development

  • Power of a Promise

    The Power of a Promise Scholarship is part of Cleco’s $1.0 million commitment to Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), which was announced in 2019, to help fund training, curriculum development and scholarships.

    It’s designed to help economically disadvantaged, female and minority students who plan to attend CLTCC in Alexandria.

    Cleco’s diversity and inclusion team designed the Power of a Promise Scholarship for economically disadvantaged, female and minority students who are juniors or seniors in high school and who plan to attend Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria Campus and pursue a diploma in industrial manufacturing technology.

  • LSUE STEAM Innovation Center

    Cleco contributed $250,000 to the Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE) STEAM Innovation Center, the proposed renovation and reimagining of the current Science Building, the first building erected on the LSUE campus in 1967. The new structure will give LSUE and the surrounding area a first-class facility with the classroom and laboratory spaces needed in today’s academic environment. Cleco’s investment was made in partnership with the Community Foundation of Acadiana’s Donor Advised Fund.

Charitable Contributions

  • Spark

    Spark is Cleco’s employee giving and company matching platform. Spark allows employees to donate to causes they are passionate about that are located in Louisiana. Cleco will match an employee’s contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $1000 a year. 

  • Dollars for Doers

    Cleco believes that building connections between its employees and its communities creates a more meaningful, fulfilling, and enjoyable workplace. Cleco is committed to being a responsible company in the communities where it does business. Employees can be rewarded with $10 for every hour of volunteer time, up to $500 per year. Organizations are also able to enroll in the platform in order to receive donations faster and connect with corporate giving and volunteering opportunities at Cleco. Cleco also frequently collaborates with organizations on volunteer activities for its employees. Throughout the year, employees make a positive impact in their local communities and have found a multitude of special ways to volunteer.

  • Power of Sharing

    Cleco created the Power of Sharing Fund in 1985 to help elderly customers with low or fixed incomes pay their energy bills. The funds from this program are donated by Cleco, employees and customers and distributed by the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging (COA) across the state. Currently, 16 COAs receive funds from Cleco's Power of Sharing Fund, including Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany and Vernon. To find out if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance, contact one of the participating COAs. 

  • #GivingTuesday

    Cleco employees participated in #GivingTuesday, which is a global day of generosity that took place on November 28, 2023.  Employees showed their generosity in a multitude of ways, including making over $62,000 in monetary contributions through the company’s online platform, Spark.

Community Outreach

In 2023, Cleco launched its Done in a Day program which furthers the company’s partnerships with charitable organizations across its service territory, as well as provides an opportunity for its employees to get involved in the community. Through the program, Cleco works with non-profit organizations who request assistance with a project that can be completed in one day or a few hours.  

Cleco Marketplace Shopping BagPower Wise Program 

Power Wise™ is Cleco’s energy efficiency program for residential and commercial customers. The program offers solutions that can help customers save energy and learn more about energy efficiency. Through Power Wise, customers can receive direct rebates for appliance and equipment upgrades and purchases, sign up for a free home energy audit to identify problem areas and make energy-saving improvements to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Power Wise also provides resources to help teachers teach energy and water efficiency in the classroom.

Unite Us

Cleco partnered with Unite Us, a coordinated care referral network of health and social service providers, to address the needs of our customers and connect them with resources in Louisiana. Unite Us can connect our customers with food, clothing, lodging, childcare, transportation, mental health, utility bill assistance and more if customers meet each program’s eligibility criteria such as income, number of household members, location, etc. Providers in the network are connected through the Unite Us shared technology platform which enables them to send and receive electronic referrals, address social needs and improve health across communities.

Upholding Energy Affordability & Reliability 

Reliability 2023

Sustaining Our Workforce in 2022

Employee Demographics v2

Press Releases

Cleco Power receives economic development award for efforts to grow communities

BF-EDO-Award-Seal-303x300
Jun 15, 2023
Winners selected by Business Facilities, a leader in site selection

Cleco Power was recently recognized for efforts to grow communities across its service territory in the utility category of Business Facilities magazine’s 1st Annual Economic Development Organization (EDO) Awards. 

Business Facilities, a leading source of intelligence on corporate expansion and relocation, featured winners of the EDO Awards in the May / June issue of their magazine.  Recipients were chosen by the magazine editors based on innovative or impactful programs and initiatives aimed at improving the communities they serve.

“Every organization has a story behind their strategy, and we applaud all who submitted a nomination,” said Anne Cosgrove, editorial director of Business Facilities.  “While these stories vary by size and scope, a common thread is that our winners demonstrated proven results, innovation, and resourcefulness, as well as effective partnerships.  Congratulations to each of this year’s winners!”

“We began a reset of our economic development strategy last year to revitalize our communities, sustain our environment and create a better Louisiana,” said Eric Schouest, vice president of marketing and government affairs for Cleco Power.  “This recognition is a good indicator that we’re on the right track.”

Thus far, the reset strategy has included an economic development assessment by Newmark’s Global Strategy consulting practice, leading experts in corporate real estate and economic development, and the hiring of Richard Cornelison, an economic development industry veteran with 27 years of experience, to lead Cleco Power’s new economic development team.

“We are humbled and honored to be recognized as a top utility EDO by Business Facilities, as this notable achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth, empowering communities and creating new opportunities in Louisiana,” said Cornelison, interim director of marketing and economic development for Cleco Power.  “We share this accolade with our dedicated team, supportive partners and the visionary leaders who have made this success possible.  Together, we will continue to drive progress and build a prosperous future for all.”

“Congratulations to Cleco Power on this recognition of their hard work and new initiatives,” said Kim Moore, executive managing director of consulting for Newmark.  “We are excited to see the company’s progress and grateful to be in business together.”

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