Security at U.S. Bank Stadium will be provided by the “largest Latino-owned security firm in the Midwest” when it opens later this year.
Stadium operator SMG announced Friday it has selected Monterrey Security as the official security provider at the Vikings’ new home, following an “extensive” request for proposal (RFP) process.
The Chicago-based company, SMG says, is one of the fastest-growing minority-owned security companies in the country, with two-thirds of their workforce comprised of women or minorities from the bottom to the top.
In the statement, Monterrey suggested many of the security jobs at the stadium will go to local workers, saying, with CEO Juan Gaytan Jr. saying they “know the importance of creating opportunities for local residents – we don’t just want to give them a job, we want to help them build a career.”
“Monterrey Security is an exceptionally qualified organization,” said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “Monterrey has experience working with stadiums, live events and family attractions. Furthermore, this major contract being held by a minority owned company keeps our equity focus on the stadium’s operations.”
Officials are gearing up for the $1 billion stadium’s opening this summer.
It recently announced it was accepting applications for 2,500 full and part-time positions, and last month Luke Bryan became the first artist confirmed to perform at the venue.
There have also been reports this week that the first sporting event at the stadium will be a soccer pre-season friendly between the English Premier League’s Chelsea against Italian Serie A side AC Milan.
While the stadium has given a Chicago company the security contract, it’s less enthused about the stadium’s location on “Chicago Ave.”, and has applied to change the name to “Vikings Way” so the street isn’t named after a divisional rival.
