State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, has applauded an announcement that more than $900,000 in state grants will be awarded to recipients in her district: the Eastern Pequot Tribe of North Stonington, the Town of Stonington and the Stonington-based Yellow Farmhouse Education Center.

“These are wise investments which will pay significant future dividends in both Stonington and North Stonington,” Somers said. “From improving our environment and restoring property to productive use to helping to enhance visitors’ experiences in engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways, these grants are focused on improving the quality of life in our region.”

The Easterns will receive the largest of the grants ― $421,050 ― to develop programs that value the tribe’s ancestry, traditions and way of life. Mitchel Ray, the tribe’s chairman, wrote in an email the money will be used to expand the scope of the tribal office/community center the tribe is building on its Wright Road reservation.

The expansion will consist of a small museum that will display artifacts the tribe has collected in recent decades while working with researchers from the University of Massachusetts.

“Mohegan having the first Indian museum, Mashantucket having one of the largest, we will also be able to share our Pequot history with the public,” Ray wrote, referring to southeastern Connecticut’s other two tribes. “It will also be used to remove overgrowth at our largest ancient burial grounds located near the building. There will be trails made leading from the building to archaeological sites that are within walking distance ...”

Stonington will receive a $200,000 grant to assess whether a 5.5-acre former industrial mill site at 21 Pawcatuck Ave. is suitable for residential development. The funds come from the state Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, which is expected to disperse about $23.8 million in state funding to remediate 480 acres of land across 22 properties in 15 municipalities.

The Yellow Farmhouse Education Center on North Main Street in Stonington will receive $288,000 to upgrade signage that will make it easier for visitors to navigate the 63-acre property, and build pathways, restrooms and a multipurpose pavilion.

The funding for the center is being released as part of the Good to Great Grant Program, which is co-administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut Humanities.

“This funding will allow the working farm to make the space more accessible, so that it can continue promoting a healthy and thriving local food system that is accessible and affordable to all,” state Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, said. “I am grateful to Governor Lamont and DECD for their support in helping us preserve this valuable community asset for future generations.”

Connecticut Landmarks, which manages such historic properties as Forge Farm in Stonington and Hempsted Houses in New London, secured $261,800 to improve its visitor centers at five historic house museums.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com