A local government unit that is a member of a regional economic development alliance created under the Regional Economic Development Act is authorized to negotiate a purchase option for real property to be used for the purposes of the alliance. A local government unit may pay all costs incurred for the acquisition of such an option regardless of whether the local government unit exercises the option at a later date. As a part of any such option, a local government unit may negotiate the right to enter upon the real property before the purchase for the purpose of conducting any preliminary engineering, environmental and related surveys or studies necessary to effectuate the option. A local government unit may pay all costs incurred for such surveys or studies regardless of whether the local government unit exercises the option at a later date.