PINEVILLE, La. – Aug. 8, 2022 – Cleco Power is reinvigorating its economic development strategy to support growth across its 24-parish service area, recognizing that industry electrification and renewable energy impacts require a strategy reset.
With a renewed focus on economic development activities, Cleco Power officials are partnering with key organizations to ensure growth and stability for the economy of Louisiana.
This includes approaching targeted industries to bring new suppliers and manufacturers to the state and working with regional economic development organizations and national site location consultants to highlight the many advantages of its service territory.
Leading these efforts for Cleco Power is Richard Cornelison who brings 27 years of experience in economic development from Oklahoma Gas & Electric. Cornelison has twice been named one of the top 50 Economic Developers in the country and has had success across all industry sectors.
“We’re excited to welcome Richard to the Cleco Power team as he brings a skill set that is exceptional and break-away regarding success in today’s economic development sector,” said Eric Schouest, vice president of marketing and government affairs for Cleco Power. “With his extensive connections in the industry, and his expertise in lead development, we believe Richard will help position Cleco Power as a premier economic development utility partner.
“The entire Cleco Power team looks forward to partnering with the governor, the secretary, Louisiana Economic Development and most importantly, our regional communities and neighbors to help grow Louisiana’s economy,” said Schouest.
Cleco Power also recently partnered with Newmark’s Global Strategy consulting practice, leading experts in corporate real estate and economic development, to complement Cornelison’s new role.
“As an experienced utility economic developer, I understand the critical role utilities play in growing the economy,” said Cornelison. “Cleco Power’s plans to bolster the Louisiana economy includes job creation, retention and industry diversification,” continued Cornelison.
Cornelison and his team welcome questions about the future of Cleco Power’s regional targeted industries, innovation and the company’s recent economic development assessment, performed by Newmark, to reset long-term goals as Cleco Power continues to create a more economically sound future for Louisianans.
About Cleco
Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through its subsidiaries, Cleco Power LLC and Cleco Cajun LLC. Cleco Power is a regulated electric public utility company that owns nine generating units with a rated capacity of 3,035 MWs and serves approximately 291,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana and Mississippi. Cleco Cajun is an unregulated utility company that owns 14 generating units with a rated capacity of 3,379 MWs, and wholesale contracts serving electric cooperatives, municipalities, an electric utility and a nonprofit corporation. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.
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