There was a room full of happy people as Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Utica as a winner of Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding at Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute on Tuesday.

One of those thrilled people was the Utica mayor.

"I can't give you the words how happy I am for all our residents and the Greater Utica area," said Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri. "The City has transformed itself in the last several years into an area that people are proud of again."

The announcement comes at a time of despair for many in the Mohawk Valley who were affected by the Halloween storm.

"It certainly is a boost. I mean, we can't lose [sight of the] fact that there are still people suffering. We still have to deal with the flooding, but the investment is clearly something that was necessary," said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

Cuomo said they're working to come up with more sustainable and natural infrastructure to hold water back.

When it comes to funding, he says the state will help, but it's a federal responsibility.

"We need federal disaster funding because it's going to be expensive, and we're going to work very hard to do that. And that the state will provide funding also," said Cuomo.

One of the hardest hit areas was Whitesboro in Oneida County. The mayor is asking for a FEMA buyout. However, the governor doesn't expect that to happen.

"I don't believe the damage level will trigger the FEMA threshold," Cuomo said.

According to the Utica mayor, the area that's being upgraded with the $10 million was not flooded in the Halloween storm. Utica will now start developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the grant.