An incubator hatching.(Senator Vincent Fumo's proposal to turn an old building as a start-up place for high-technology companies)

State Sen. Vincent Fumo is organizing an effort to turn a building at 2nd and Spring Garden streets into an incubator for high-tech companies.

The incubator would provide high-tech start-ups with low rent, proximity to similarly situated companies and high-speed Internet access. Fumo's aides said the senator got involved in the project because he wants the Philadelphia area to become known as a good place to start and sustain Internet and other tech companies.

"He understands that in order for the city to really grow the tax base ... we really need to start growing our technology industry," said Christian Marrone, Fumo's aide for special projects.

Fumo's not the only one who feels that way. And he's not the only one trying to boost …