Memorandum Opinion and Order

SUSAN WEBBER WRIGHT, District Judge.

Derwin Sims is the chief executive officer of S & G Development LLC ("S&G"), a minority-owned corporation. Plaintiffs Sims and S&G allege defendants discriminated against them on the basis of race when defendants denied plaintiffs' application for a federally-subsidized loan. Now before the Court is a motion for judgment on the pleadings filed by the remaining defendants Arkansas Development Finance Authority ("ADFA") and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission ("AEDC") (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Defendants").1 Plaintiffs responded to the motion. For the reasons stated below, the motion is granted.

Introduction

In August 2009, plaintiffs applied to the ADFA for funding for a multi-family housing development in Forrest City, Arkansas. See Pls.' Compl., Ex. A. Their application was denied because the ADFA found the development was ineligible under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Id., Ex. B. According to the ADFA, the property plaintiffs proposed to acquire was not a foreclosed property and the property was not properly zoned for the proposed development.2 Plaintiffs challenged the ADFA's reasons for finding them disqualified and the scores the ADFA gave their application. They also complained to the ADFA that some applicants did not submit their applications electronically as directed, submitted information past the deadlines, and failed to meet requirements for a market study analysis.3 Plaintiffs assert that the real reason they were disqualified was race discrimination. Compl. at ¶ 19. Plaintiffs allege that the five applications the ADFA approved were submitted by non-minority controlled entities and that the ADFA gave some of them special treatment during the application process, such as not requiring electronic filing, allowing amendment of their applications, and not requiring them to meet market study guidelines. Id. at ¶¶ 21-26.

Plaintiffs bring their claim of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Arkansas Civil Rights Act ("ACRA"), and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Defendants move for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12 (c), arguing plaintiffs fail to plead sufficient facts to state a claim. They also assert plaintiffs' claims are barred by sovereign immunity.

Discussion

In reviewing a motion for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c), a court applies the same standard used in reviewing a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6). Ashley Cnty. v. Pfizer, Inc., 552 F.3d 659, 665 (8th Cir. 2009). Under this standard, a court must accept as true all of the factual allegations in the complaint and draw all reasonable inferences in the plaintiff's favor. Id. Although the factual allegations in the complaint need not be detailed, they must be sufficient to "raise a right to relief above the speculative level. . . ." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). In order to survive a 12(b)(6) motion, "a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (quoting Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286 (1986)). A complaint is plausible if its "factual content allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1940. "A grant of judgment on the pleadings is appropriate `where no material issue of fact remains to be resolved and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.'" Poehl v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 528 F.3d 1093, 1096 (8th Cir.2008) (quoting Faibisch v. Univ. of Minn., 304 F.3d 797, 803 (8th Cir.2002)). "A pleading that offers `labels and conclusions' or `a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.' Nor does a complaint suffice if it tenders `naked assertion[s]' devoid of "further factual enhancement." Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555).

The Court finds plaintiffs fail to allege sufficient facts to state a plausible claim of race discrimination under Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2). They make no statements to support their bare claim that the only reason the ADFA rejected their application was race, and the only allegation plaintiffs make against the AEDC is that it "knew or should have known of the racially discriminatory practices of the ADFA. ..." Compl. at ¶ 29. Plaintiffs' allegations are merely conclusory.

In addition to finding plaintiffs' complaint fails to comply with the pleading requirements of Rule 8(a), the Court finds plaintiffs fail to state a claim as a matter of law.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discriminatory acts committed by an "employer." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). Defendants argue that the facts are clear that there was no employment relationship between plaintiffs and defendants. Plaintiffs make no allegation that either the ADFA or AEDC are their employers. S & G is described as a "limited liability corporation," Compl. at ¶ 1, and Sims is described as an "independent consultant an[d] entrepreneur." Compl. at ¶ 2. The Court finds plaintiffs fail to state a claim for relief under Title VII or the Arkansas Civil Rights Act for employment discrimination because defendants were not their employers.4

Plaintiffs argue that they do not have to establish an employment relationship in order to pursue their discrimination claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. See Wortham v. American Family Ins. Group, 385 F.3d 1139, 1141 (8th Cir. 2004)(§1981 embraces all contracts, including those between an independent contractor and another). Here, however, there is no allegation that there was a contract between plaintiffs and defendants.5 Further, the Eleventh Amendment bars suits filed pursuant to § 1981 against states and state agencies. Singletary v. Missouri Dep't of Corrections, 423 F.3d 886, 890 (8th Cir. 2005).6

Conclusion

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Defendants' motion for judgment on the pleadings [docket entry21] is granted. Plaintiffs' claims against defendants are dismissed. Judgment will be entered accordingly.