SEEC Board Member

Executive Director of SEEC

Julie Pacatte is the Executive Director of Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation (SEEC), a privately funded public benefit nonprofit dedicated to fostering prosperity in Schoharie County. She also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Schoharie County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) and the Schoharie County Capital Resource Corporation (SCCRC).

A Schoharie County native and Cobleskill High School graduate, Pacatte returned to her hometown in 2019 with decades of experience in real estate management and economic development. Her career has taken her from central Florida to the mid-Atlantic region and across New York State, where she has led award-winning community development initiatives and mastered complex capital stacking with state and federal economic development programs.

Since joining SEEC, Pacatte has mobilized more than $43 million in public-private investments for this rural community of 30,000 residents. Under her visionary leadership, an additional $250 million in public-private investment is gaining momentum, advancing Main Street vitality, digital strategies, and industry diversity across the county. Major initiatives include the $92 million Highbridge development projected to create 287 new jobs, critical infrastructure upgrades at Schoharie Business Park and Shad Point, and nearly $1 million in support to small businesses for upskilling and upgrading digital platforms.

Pacatte has positioned broadband expansion as a cornerstone of her work, spearheading the Schoharie County Digital Revolution. She secured more than $1.2 million in NYS Homes & Community Renewal CDBG-CV funding that upskilled 40 businesses and enhanced digital access for two villages. A county-wide broadband feasibility study led to a $30 million ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program award in late 2024. By 2027, Schoharie County will rank among the top 3% of counties nationwide for high-speed internet access, with service reaching every premise.

Additional accomplishments include establishing FREE public Wi-Fi in the Villages of Schoharie, Middleburgh, and soon Sharon Springs, and launching SEEC's Placemaking: Curb Appeal Program, which provides historic district commercial properties with free design consultations and grant opportunities. Pacatte also conceived SEEC's headquarters on Main Street, Schoharie—a coworking space, art gallery, and event venue that embodies community collaboration, Main Street vitality, and digital innovation under one roof. SEEC associates contributed to the Village of Sharon Springs' $2.25 million NY Forward award and the Village of Schoharie's finalist status in the New York State revitalization program.

Pacatte's approach centers on listening to stakeholders, commanding rigorous planning efforts, and implementing multi-faceted action plans tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities facing businesses and communities. She has consistently secured and leveraged significant public resources to mobilize private investments in digital equity, downtown revitalization, Main Street building improvements, brownfield redevelopment, micro-enterprise lending, and public infrastructure investments that create jobs, instill pride, and spur prosperity.

Julie serves on the boards of the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District and the Southern Tier 8 Regional Planning Board, building strong regional connections for Schoharie County's economic development efforts. Beyond her professional achievements, Julie cherishes time with her daughter, Gabbi, and her pets, including her pup Paco and her cat, Gucci.