ACTIVITIES PRECEDING CONSTRUCTION. Upon securing funds (or a firm commitment of funds) deemed adequate by the GOVERNING BOARD to finance the cost of the activities necessary to be carried out prior to the award of a contract for the construction of any public project or other economic development project, the AUTHORITY shall proceed to contract with one or more engineering and/or architectural firms for the preparation of construction plans and specifications, to acquire said necessary permits, rights-of-way and land, and to carry out all other activities which are necessarily to be performed prior to the award of a contract for the construction of any public works or other economic development project. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting or restricting the timing or procedure to be followed by the AUTHORITY in obtaining financing required for implementation of any project, if some other or different procedure or timing is required by any federal or state agency providing financial assistance to the AUTHORITY.