Madison — A Wisconsin fusion-energy company is expanding in the city where it began, announcing plans Wednesday to develop a new research and development campus at the former Oscar Mayer plant now known as OM Station.
Realta Fusion said it will convert space at OM Station into a facility it is calling Realta Forge, aiming to scale up the company’s magnetic-mirror fusion work that originated at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The company expects to begin construction before the end of the year.
What the project entails
The company said the redevelopment at OM Station will make immediate use of existing buildings on the property, highlighting the site’s scale. Realta’s chief executive, Kieran Furlong, described OM Station as a uniquely suited location because of its large footprint and available industrial and office space.
“OM Station is a special property with many unique characteristics that make it a compelling location for Realta Forge,” said Kieran Furlong. “It's a massive site with over two million square feet of existing office space and industrial buildings that we can put to use on day one.”
The project has been structured with public support: state and local officials, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the City of Madison and the State of Wisconsin, have agreed to provide up to $55 million in tax incentives to assist the project.
“We know that innovation is the key to our future, and we know that clean energy holds countless opportunities for innovation,” said Sam Rikkers, chief operating officer of the WEDC.
Local context and site history
The Oscar Mayer plant operated in Madison for nearly a century before closing in 2017. The property was acquired last year by developers aiming to convert the complex into a mixed-use campus for businesses. Realta’s selection of the site marks a significant new tenant for OM Station and a notable example of a technology firm choosing Madison for expansion.
- Company: Realta Fusion (spun out of UW–Madison research)
- Project: Realta Forge R&D facility at OM Station
- Incentives: Up to $55 million in tax assistance from state, city and WEDC
- Site size: More than two million square feet of existing space
- Timeline: Groundbreaking expected before the end of the year
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Former Oscar Mayer plant (OM Station), Madison |
| Incentives | Up to $55,000,000 (state, city, WEDC) |
| Origin | Spinout from UW–Madison magnetic mirror fusion research |
| Site capacity | >2,000,000 sq ft of existing buildings |
What it means for Madison
City and state officials framed the announcement as a win for innovation and for Wisconsin’s role in developing advanced energy technology. Governor Tony Evers has prioritized fusion development in state economic policy and praised the growing concentration of fusion research and industry in Wisconsin.
Realta’s move cements a local connection between university research and private-sector development on a prominent Madison site. Officials and the company say the existing structures at OM Station make it possible to accelerate R&D activity without waiting for entirely new construction.
The partners involved — Realta, OM Station developers, the City of Madison and WEDC — will need to finalize development details, permitting and any conditions tied to the incentive package as the project moves toward ground work later this year.
Further specifics about the scope of laboratory outfitting, staffing plans or projected economic impacts have not been disclosed by the company or public agencies.
