The S.C. Legislative Audit Council voted Thursday to review spending by a state agency created to attract research jobs.

The review of the S.C. Research Authority is expected to begin in January and be completed later in 2005, council director George L. Schroeder said.

Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and other committee members in July asked for a review after questions arose about the agency's travel, pay, fees and mission.

Agency officials have said they will cooperate, noting they are routinely reviewed by federal auditors because of contracts they manage.

• Fountain Inn baking plant to add 50 jobs

FOUNTAIN INN — Goglanian Bakeries will add 50 jobs as it spends $3 million to upgrade its Laurens County facility.

Goglanian Bakeries, which has been operating here since January 2000, has 200 workers.

The company said it could add more jobs in the next three to five years. It makes flat breads, par-baked pizza crusts, frozen dough balls and bagels.

• Federal screeners to stay at Columbia

Federal luggage screeners at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport are not going anywhere.

Starting today, the Transportation Security Administration will let airports choose between federal or private screeners. Columbia’s airport will stick with the TSA staff, said Mike Flack, the airport’s executive director.

If the airport were to switch, it would be responsible for the screeners’ salaries. And the government still would regulate qualifications, training and staffing for the screeners, Flack said.

Critics of the TSA screening system say it is not flexible enough to shift screeners to busier areas when needed.

• Datastream receives Nasdaq notice

GREENVILLE — Datastream Systems Inc. said its delay in filing third-quarter earnings has put it out of compliance with Nasdaq.

The software company missed the filing deadline as it reviews how it records revenue from international sales, which account for about 5 percent of total sales.

Datastream said it is requesting a hearing from Nasdaq and will continue to be listed. Its stock symbol will change to DSTME, from DSTE.

Its stock closed at unchanged at $6.40 on Thursday.

• Brenan named head of bankers group

Michael R. Brenan has been named chairman of the S.C. Bankers Association.

He is president of BB&T of South Carolina, based in Columbia.

Brenan replaces C. John Hipp III, who resigned in October from S.C. Bank and Trust.

• Gateway adds Charleston hotel

Gateway Hospitality of Columbia is building a Comfort Suites hotel in North Charleston that should open early next year.

It is the fourth Charleston-area hotel for Gateway, said company president Clancy Cipkala and chairman Sam Agee.

Officials at Gateway, which is involved with more than 15 hotels, said the company has plans to develop and acquire 10 additional hotels by 2006.

From Staff and Wire Reports