Every day, about 400 flights come in and out of Nashville International Airport, and from July 16 to 18, around 496 southcentral Kentuckians traveled there, according to its most recent quarterly check.

&#8220(Southcentral Kentucky) is definitely one of our target markets,” airport spokesperson Lynne Lowrance.

Now, travelers can look forward to new additions and changes to Nashville’s airport over the next three years.

In addition to launching a new Web site, flynashville.com, the airport is adding several new eateries and shops, streamlining its security check procedures to give its customers a better experience, and bringing on new flight services to give customers more options.

The push for more local and national brand names recently resulted in board-approved contracts for Delaware North Corp. HMSHost, and BongoJava Productions to bring in several new restaurants and businesses, including Noshville Delicatessen, Baja Burrito, Neeley’s BBQ, Loveless Café, Bread and Company, Swett’s, Kijiji Coffee, Whitt’s, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Bongo Java, Tennessee Tavern/Jack Daniels and Gibson Guitar. National brands include Wendy’s, Manchu Wok, Burger King, Quizno’s Subs, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Villa Pizza, Famous Famiglia, O’Charley’s, Freshen Smoothies and Starbucks Coffee.

On Sept. 20, Nashville airport kicks off the first phase of renovations, which will start in mid-October.

&#8220This terminal is 20 years old; it has not had any significant aesthetic updates from that time,” Lowrance said. &#8220The whole project stems from customer service.”

Travelers can look forward to a terminal facelift of shimmering water walls, numerous skylights, upgraded flight information monitors, renovated restrooms, additional elevators and new floor and wall coverings.

The consolidation of security checkpoints is part of those renovations. The airport’s security checkpoints will go from two checkpoints with seven lanes, to one checkpoint with 11 lanes, according to Lowrance.

Lowrance said while passengers nationwide experienced delays earlier this month because of security measures related to the alleged London terror plot, Nashville’s airport only experienced a 30-minute wait at the most that day.

This week, the board for the Metropolitan Nashville Authority will review more proposals from different companies that want to be in the airport.

Starting Thursday, newcomer JetBlue will be running three flights a day to JFK airport in New York to add to Nashville’s other 16 airlines.

&#8220We’re hoping they’ll eventually expand. Those flights will really cater to the business traveler,” Lowrance said.

At the end of the Metropolitan Nashville Authority’s fiscal year in June, the airport’s passenger count reached nearly 9.5 million, the most total passengers in the airport’s history.

– For more information on Nashville International Airport, visit http://www.flynashville.com.

Ladies slated for labor to eat free at Toots on Labor Day

Labor Day will be celebrated with a special twist at one local restaurant.

All pregnant ladies will eat free that day at Toot’s, according to General Manager Billy McCrary.

Toot’s has been reaching out to that demographic at area hospitals, doctors and birthing classes.

Toot’s restaurant is at 2500 Scottsville Road. To contact the restaurant directly, call 843-2335 or visit toots.com. You can also e-mail McCrary at tootsbg@hotmail.com.

– Business reporter Ameerah Cetawayo doesn’t like to miss a story and gets her best stuff from readers. E-mail her at acetawayo@bgdailynews.com or call 783-3246.Z