Realta Fusion has selected the former Oscar Mayer factory in Madison, Wisconsin, as the site for its new research and development hub, Forge. The company says the facility is expected to produce its first plasma in 2029.
Founded in Madison, Realta has been working for two years to find a location for the project. The company's co-founder and CEO, Kieran Furlong, described the move with a simple idea: transforming an industrial landmark into a center for next-generation energy research.
The site offered practical advantages, including strong power infrastructure and close access to Realta's headquarters. Just as important, the company pointed to broad support from Wisconsin leaders, who have backed fusion as part of the state's long-term innovation strategy.
Realta also benefits from a strong local talent pipeline through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where the company traces part of its scientific roots. The startup says Wisconsin's incentives package, including tax relief and local support from Madison, strengthens its ability to scale research in place.
The decision stands out in a field where many fusion startups cluster near national laboratories or coastal tech hubs. By staying in Wisconsin, Realta is positioning itself as a regional anchor for advanced energy development. If the project advances as planned, it could help shape how future clean-energy ecosystems grow around research, talent, and public-private collaboration.
