AUGUSTA – A longtime advocate for regional business development was nominated Wednesday by Gov. John E. Baldacci to head the state Department of Transportation.

David Cole, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Maine Development Corp. in Bangor, has been selected by the governor to oversee the state agency which operates on a $500 million annual budget drawn from a mix of state and federal sources and employs a staff of 2,400.

In a prepared statement, Baldacci said Cole’s economic development experience in working with communities throughout Maine would be essential in reaching the goal of building a balanced transportation system.

“As president of EMDC, David has proven technical, managerial and leadership skills, and his experience in forging coalitions and partnerships will be essential in maintaining a safe, efficient and economical transportation system that also protects our environment,” the governor said.

Cole, a 48-year-old Lincoln native who now lives in Brewer, has spent most of his professional life with EMDC, joining the staff as an economic development specialist in 1979 – the same year he received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine. Advancing through the ranks of the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to business expansion and retention, Cole developed financing plans and competitive strategies for many enterprises throughout the state’s northern six-county area.

In 1995, he was named president by the corporation’s board of directors and charged with managing the agency’s $7 million annual budget and overseeing a staff of 49 employees. As president, Cole has been instrumental in attracting out-of-state investments in the region – including international investments from companies in Germany, Switzerland and Japan. In addition to his duties at EMDC, Cole also has served as a member of the state Task Force on Rail Transportation, the Maine Port Authority, and the state DOT Regional Transportation Advisory Committee. He has been involved with the analysis of the proposed East-West Highway project.

If confirmed by the Maine Senate, Cole said the cabinet post would provide a rare opportunity to serve at the highest levels of government and guide transportation policy in a manner that would generate the greatest benefit for the entire state. Cole said the improvement of the state’s economy is irrevocably linked with enhanced transportation options, particularly those linking the state with the Great Lakes corridor and the maritime provinces.

“I’m very much in support of the governor’s international economic development district which focuses on building the economic relationships and opportunities between Maine and Atlantic Canada and Quebec province,” he said. “At EMDC, we supported federal funding to study the border corridor [linking] the Great Lakes and the Maritimes through Maine to designate it as a high-priority corridor.”

Cole said he is not related to the Cole family that has been involved in the trucking industry in the Bangor area.

Jane Lincoln served as acting director of the Department of Transportation before accepting the role of chief of staff in the Baldacci administration. She said Cole’s strong background in economic development would serve him well as head of the second-largest state agency.

“He really understands the importance of investment in our infrastructure and what that means to future economic development in Maine,” she said. “He clearly brings an understanding of the various modes of transportation in Maine and how they need to connect modally to serve the business community and what it means to retain existing businesses and attract new ones.”

Pending confirmation, Cole would become the second Bangor-area resident to be named to Baldacci’s cabinet. Earlier this month, Robert “Buddy” Murray, of Bangor, was sworn in as commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Cole’s nomination is the 11th of 16 cabinet appointments the governor has announced so far.