This thesis investigated the distribution of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Public Service Employment (PSE) funds to counties in Indiana from a rural-urban perspective. A four-prong approach was employed to determine if nonmetropolitan areas in Indiana had received an equitable share of the total Public Service Employment funds, Titles II and VI, allocated in Indiana. Relative need, as indicated by shares of population, unemployment, and disadvantaged, was calculated; the severity of barriers to employment opportunity were assessed; the efficiency and costs of program operation were examined; and, population growth and migration was reviewed.In addition, this thesis attempted to ascertain if alternative distribution mechanisms (formulas) might allocate the manpower funds in a more equitable fashion. / Department of Urban Planning

The State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, otherwise known as the revenue sharing act, distributes $30.2 billion to nearly 39,000 state and local governments over a five year period. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the actual workings of the program are consistent with the goals its supporters set for it. Other formula studies of revenue sharing begin by selecting a goal, or qoals, that revenue sharing is supposed to advance (or should advance), and then proceed to develop alternative distribution formulas which are more responsive to the predeternined goal(s). This study, by examining the structure of the distribution formula, uses a revealed preference technique to ascertain four program goals inherent in the structure of the distribution formula. / Ph. D.