To qualify for financial assistance, a county must, in consultation with the municipal corporations located within the county, develop, submit to the Secretary, and obtain from the Secretary approval for a local strategic plan for economic development. The Department may develop a local strategic plan for economic development in a qualified distressed county in consultation with a municipal corporation in that county if the qualified distressed county has: Not developed a local strategic plan for economic development; or Developed a local strategic plan for economic development but is not actively pursuing financial assistance from the Fund.