CORDOVA (AP) — Officials say an Alabama town hit by two tornadoes during the April 2011 outbreak is finally approved for federal money to demolish its badly damaged downtown area.

Leaders in the Walker County city of Cordova hope the project can begin moving forward within the next two or three months.

The Daily Mountain Eagle reported today that officials announced the decision at a meeting of Cordova's long-term recovery committee.

Tornadoes ravaged Cordova on April 27, 2011, heavily damaging its small downtown district. State and local leaders say federal officials were slow to decide on demolition funding because of historical considerations, and the area remains scarred.

City recovery coordinator Dean Harbison says a demolition grant has now been approved.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says paperwork still remains to be done.