NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The economy is showing signs of revival, but in the small business trenches, companies are still struggling. Sales are down, credit is tight, and the tally of laid-off workers keeps growing. Leading the federal government's effort to shore up Main Street businesses is Karen Mills, now four months into her job heading the Small Business Administration.

Getting attention at the highest levels in Washington isn't a problem, Mills said in a recent interview with CNNMoney: "The world has changed, and everyone has realized that it is small businesses that are going to drive the economy and the recovery," Mills said. "We're the popular kid at the dance."

But many small business owners feel slighted by the giant bailout packages showered on Wall Street companies and the auto giants. We asked Mills for her take on the government's small business recovery efforts so far, and the goals still left to achieve.

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