Associated Press - May 11, 2009 8:24 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - An Associated Press analysis has found that counties with high jobless rates stand to receive the least help from President Obama's plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges.

Although the intent of the money is to put people back to work, AP's review of more than 5,500 projects reveals that states are planning to spend the stimulus in areas where unemployment rates are already lower.

One result among many: Elk County, Pa., isn't receiving any road money despite its jobless rate of nearly 14%. Yet the military and college community of Riley County, Kansas -- with its 3.4% unemployment rate -- is getting $56 million. The money will be used to build a highway, improve an intersection and restore a historic farmhouse.

Altogether, the government is set to spend 50% more per person in areas with the lowest unemployment than it will in communities with the highest.

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