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Exhibit 10(a)

| **CLECO CORPORATION**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
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| **2000 LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
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| **Amendment No. 1**
**(Elimination of  Restricted Stock Award)**

**Whereas,**ClecoCorporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Stateof Louisiana (the "Company"), adopted the 2000 Long-Term Incentive CompensationPlan (the "LTIP"), which plan was approved by the shareholders of the Companyon April 28, 2000; 

**Whereas,**the Company now desires to amend the LTIP to eliminate the award of restrictedstock thereunder with respect to certain nonemployee members of the Board ofDirectors of the Company;

**Whereas,**Section12.1 of the LTIP permits the Board of Directors of the Company to amend theLTIP, subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law; 

**Now, Therefore,**effective as of December 12, 2003, Section 11.2 of the LTIP shall beamended and restated in its entirety as follows:

"11.2   **RestrictedStock Awards.**  This section intentionally left blank."

**ThisAmendment No. 1**was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company onDecember 12, 2003, to be effective as of the dates set forth above.

 

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**CLECO CORPORATION**

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**By:  /s/  Catherine    C. Powell                       **

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**Its:  Sr. V.P. -    Corporate Services               ** |