Alphabet Inc’s Google is set to invest $7 billion in data centers and offices across the U.S. in 2021, down from $10 billion last year; the move will create 10,000 new full-time jobs as it takes on a pandemic-driven surge in internet traffic.

The move will see the tech giant expand its data centers in Texas, Nebraska, Atlanta, New York, South Carolina, Chicago and Washington.

Google will also be spending $1 billion in California, its home state.

The development comes at a time when many companies are moving towards remote working and are exiting Silicon Valley due to the coronavirus-induced COVID-19 pandemic, making companies reconsider California’s hefty taxes and high operational costs.

The investments will create at least 10,000 new full-time jobs at Google, said Sundar Pichai, the company’s CEO. Google currently employs more than 84,000 people across the United States.

Last year, Google’s services contributed to $426 billion in economic activity in the United States, said Pichai.