Two companies in southwest Mississippi are proceeding with plans to produce and strengthen sand for hydraulic fracturing. The Blaine Cos., which maintains quarry operations in Natchez, MS, is launching Magnolia Frac Sand LLC, a business division that will produce frack sand for Fores Frac Sand LLC, a new division of Fores Canada Inc., and Fores Resin Coat LLC will strengthen some of the frack sand by coating it with resin. Fores is also installing a handling facility and a loading and storage facility in Natchez. Blain is investing $7 million in Magnolia and Fores is investing $27 million in its Mississippi entry. The project is expected to create about 60 jobs in the Natchez area.