US-based colocation provider Steel ORCA is constructing a new digital utility center in Central New Jersey - just 40 miles from both Philadelphia and New York City.

The project is the first phase of the company’s project to build out over 300,000sq ft of digital white space.

The company said once it is complete the Digital Utility Center will have 12,000 IT racks, 45mW of grid power and several mW of sustainable off grid power.

The operator claims the carrier-neutral facility will serve major markers within less than a millisecond of latency between Philadelphia and New York City.

Steel ORCA’s CEO David Crocker said the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy amplified strong market demand for resiliency and security.

“We are filling a huge void in Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey markets with a strategically located option for a colocation center with multiple fiber carriers, unparalleled security, and significant power capacity,” Crocker said.

The company said its first clients are scheduled to move into the facility in April 2014.

You can read more about moves in the New York and New Jersey market in our latest edition of FOCUS - issue 34 - out now. In the lead up to DCD Converged New York next week we cover connectivity, colocation, financial services and New York resiliency discussions following Hurricane Sandy. Read the digital edition here or download our iPad edition at DCDFocus.