JETMORE ? Efforts to draw an ethanol plant to Jetmore could be derailed if the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad follows through with plans to remove 11 miles of track between Jetmore and Hanston.

Watco Cos., the Pittsburg company that owns K&O, is delaying the move while Hodgeman County boosters continue their pursuit of the plant, which they say would bring in jobs and beef up the local economy.

“We haven’t picked (the track) up, and we are waiting,” said Ed McKechnie, executive vice president of Watco. “But the clock is ticking. If a (ethanol plant) deal is going to be made, it needs to be made.”

McKechnie said the company had not set a deadline for removal of the stretch of railway. While removal of the tracks could kill any hopes of attracting an ethanol plant, McKechnie hinted the tracks could be taken out as early as next summer.

Still, he said, Watco could give Hodgeman County officials and others involved in plans at least two months notice before taking any action.