Building Better Projects with Julie Sommese and PACE Equity Finance
SICBS CONNECTS SERIES
At S.I. Container Builds, we believe that innovative construction requires innovative financing. Even the best-designed projects can face challenges if developers and property owners don't have access to the right capital solutions. That's why we're proud to work with professionals like Julie Sommese of PACE Equity Finance, whose expertise helps make sustainable, high-performance buildings more financially achievable.
Julie brings more than 25 years of commercial real estate and lending experience to her role at PACE Equity Finance. Before joining the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) industry, she served as Chief Lending Officer for a community bank in the Chicago area and worked across a wide range of asset classes, including multifamily, hospitality, retail, industrial, and mixed-use developments. Her deep understanding of complex capital stacks and project financing gives clients a unique advantage when navigating today's development landscape.
Our relationship with Julie began through a shared commitment to helping clients create smarter, more efficient buildings. As modular and container-based construction continues to gain momentum, financing structures must evolve alongside the industry. Julie has become a valuable resource for our team and our clients, helping identify opportunities where C-PACE financing can reduce capital costs, improve project feasibility, and unlock additional value.
What sets Julie apart is her ability to translate complex financing strategies into practical solutions. C-PACE financing can often be a game-changing tool for developers, funding eligible energy-efficiency, resiliency, renewable energy, and sustainability improvements while preserving equity and lowering overall project costs. For many projects, this can mean the difference between a project remaining on the drawing board and moving forward into construction.
At SICBS, we recently highlighted the benefits of PACE financing in our article, "Unlocking Better Buildings with Smarter Financing: How PACE is Changing the Game". Through our continued conversations with Julie, we've gained valuable insight into how developers can leverage financing tools to support both financial performance and environmental goals. The alignment between PACE financing and our mission to create durable, energy-efficient modular buildings makes this partnership a natural fit.
Julie Sommese
Julie's leadership within the industry has not gone unnoticed. She has helped advance numerous transformative projects and has represented PACE Equity Finance, in receiving industry recognition, including Lender of the Year honors for the company's work supporting energy-efficient commercial development projects. Her reputation for professionalism, knowledge, and client advocacy is one of the many reasons we enjoy working with her.
As regulations, sustainability standards, and financing markets continue to evolve, having trusted experts in your corner becomes increasingly important. Julie's ability to bridge the gap between traditional lending and innovative funding solutions helps developers make informed decisions that strengthen both their projects and their long-term financial outcomes.
Outside of her professional life, Julie finds balance and inspiration on her hobby farm, which she and her family purchased eight years ago after years of city and suburban living. The peaceful setting offers a welcome contrast to the fast-paced world of commercial finance and development.
We are grateful for our partnership with Julie Sommese and the team at PACE Equity Finance, Together, we're helping clients explore new possibilities, reduce barriers to development, and create buildings that are better for owners, occupants, and communities alike. We look forward to continuing our work together as we help shape the future of smarter, more sustainable construction.
